Asian women in higher education: using support networks as strategies for success

Bhopal, Kalwant and Khambhatia, Priya (2010) Asian women in higher education: using support networks as strategies for success. Youth 2010: Identities, Transitions, Cultures. British Sociological Assocation Youth Study Group Conference, Guildford, United Kingdom. 05 - 07 Jul 2010.

Abstract

This paper will examine the support networks available to Asian women whilst studying at a ‘new’ (post-1992) university. It will explore the strategies of success associated with community membership that Asian women use whilst at university. The paper is based on 45 in-depth interviews carried out with Indian, Sikh and Muslim women who were studying for a Social Sciences or Education Studies degree. The findings examine how women form particular communities whilst at university (Bhopal, 2009) – these are translated into ‘communities of practice’ (Wenger, 1998). It is through these ‘communities of practice’ that women are able to support each other. These communities are also based on ‘localism’ and ‘critical mass’. The paper will also explore quantitative data which supports the notion of ‘localism’. Differences in the accommodation choices made by female students from the White and Asian communities will be highlighted. HESA enrolment data for academic years 1998 and 2005 will be used to explore moving out of the parental/guardian home whilst attending university and the decision to move out of one’s home region if they are not living in the parental home. Findings suggest Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi female students are more likely to live in the parental/guardian home compared to white students.

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