Out of Bounds

Afghan Couples in the U.S.

 

  • Out of Bounds: Afghan Couples in the United States
    Study of Shifting Gender and Identity

    Originally published in spring 1996
    Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts
    Reprinted by Aftaabzad Publications, spring 2001
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     (PDF format, 340k)

Out of bounds imageNawa’s senior college thesis has become an e-book by popular demand. In her fourth and final year at Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., Nawa had to do a thesis that would keep her engaged for an entire year. She chose to investigate the gender and identity gap among Afghan-Americans, researching the growing separation and divorce rate among new couples. She traveled to the largest Afghan communities in the United States — California, Virginia and New York — to pry into the lives of 17 couples.  Five years later, nearly half of the couples had separated.  She continues to receive feedback and emails regarding this e-book.