Early Adulthood in the Palestinian Diaspora

Palestinian young adults in the diaspora face unique challenges related to their cultural identity and sense of belonging. Many of them struggle to balance their desire to maintain their cultural heritage and traditions with the need to fit in and feel accepted in their host countries' communities (El-Awaisi, 2019). They may also face discrimination and marginalization in their host countries, which can lead to feelings of alienation and mistrust towards authority figures. In addition, many young adults in the Palestinian diaspora have been exposed to and affected by the ongoing occupation of Palestine, including the trauma experienced by their families and communities (Awad, 2014). The impact of generational trauma on the diaspora can be significant and far-reaching, with potential effects on emotional and behavioral issues, academic performance, and cultural identity (Zarqa-Lederman, 2022).

Despite these challenges, Palestinian young adults in the diaspora are often politically engaged, advocating for their rights and working to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine (Mavroudi, 2023). They participate in political, social, and cultural organizations that aim to promote Palestinian culture and address the ongoing occupation in their ancestral homeland. They participate in cultural events, festivals, and other community gatherings, and work to preserve and pass on their cultural traditions and heritage to future generations (Ajrouch & Jamal, 2007). They also engage in activism and protest, raising their voices to bring attention to the issues facing Palestinians, particularly in the United States (El-Awaisi, 2019). Many Palestinian young adults in the diaspora are active voters, advocating for issues important to their community (Baker, 2012). According to the research by Awad (2014), Palestinian young adults in the diaspora are often politically active, participating in various political, social, and cultural organizations to promote Palestinian culture and address the ongoing occupation in Palestine.

Additionally, Palestinian young adults in the diaspora are active in educating the public about Palestine, its people, and their culture, dispelling stereotypes, and promoting a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the Palestinian young adult diaspora experience (Jensen & Kamp, 2011). Moreover, they are engaged in community building and support, helping to build strong and vibrant Palestinian young adult communities . They participate in cultural events, festivals, and other community gatherings, and work to preserve and pass on their cultural traditions and heritage to future generations. Additionally, they are active in educating the public about Palestine, its people, and their culture, dispelling stereotypes, and promoting a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the Palestinian young adults in the diaspora experience (Abu-Rabia-Queder, 2016).

The role of education in the lives of Palestinian young adults in the diaspora cannot be underestimated. Education is seen as a way to overcome some of the challenges they face, particularly discrimination and marginalization. Palestinian young adults in the diaspora are increasingly pursuing higher education, and many are choosing to study subjects that will enable them to contribute to the Palestinian cause (El-Awaisi, 2019). In addition, education is seen as a way to preserve and pass on Palestinian cultural traditions and heritage to future generations, ensuring that the diaspora remains connected to its ancestral homeland (Mavroudi, 2023).

The media is another important factor in the lives of Palestinian young adults in the diaspora. The media provides a platform for them to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine, and to share their stories and experiences with the wider world (El-Awaisi, 2019). Social media in particular has become an important tool for Palestinian young adults in the diaspora to connect with each other, and to share information and news about the situation in Palestine (Christou, & Sofos, 2019).

References:

Abu-Rabia-Queder, S. (2016). Palestinian youth in Israel and the diaspora: Negotiating identity, space, and place. Routledge.

Ajrouch, K. J., & Jamal, A. (2007). Assimilating to a white identity: The case of Arab Americans. International Migration Review, 41(4), 860-879.

Awad, S. (2014). Palestinian youth activism in the diaspora: A study of political consciousness and collective identity formation in Toronto. Journal of Palestine Studies, 43(2), 6-23.

Baker, A. (2012). Palestinian Americans and the 2008 elections: Political participation and mobilization in the diaspora. Arab Studies Quarterly, 34(3/4), 221-236.

Christou, F., & Sofos, S. (2019). Physical and virtual spaces among the Palestinian diaspora in Malmö. The Handbook of Diasporas, Media, and Culture, 529-546.

El-Awaisi, A., Joseph, S., El Hajj, M. S., & Diack, L. (2019). Pharmacy academics’ perspectives toward interprofessional Education prior to its implementation in Qatar: a qualitative study. BMC medical education, 19(1), 1-15.

Jensen, S. Q., & Kamp, M. (2011). Palestinian identity formation among young refugees in Denmark. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 37(9), 1475-1491.

Mavroudi, E. (2023). Young people's articulations and geographies of diasporic politics: Perspectives from the Greek, Jewish and Palestinian diasporas. Political Geography, 101, 102822.

Zarqa-Lederman, S. (2022). Descendants of Palestine: Exploring the Right of Return in Diaspora (Doctoral dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology).