Social identity dilemmas of ultra-orthodox men in Israeli higher education

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the unique dilemmas and challenges of ultra-orthodox men in academia.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is conducted in the phenomenology approach. It explores the experience and the process that shape the social identity of higher-educated Haredi men through the life stories of twenty individuals.

Findings

The research found the developmental path of Haredi-educated males, till they adopted a hybridist identity. The research uses a new term of hybridist identity, to better analyze the components of this new identity structure that, to the best of the authors knowledge, has not been examined as such in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

The study population is not large and therefore the number of participants is not large.

Practical implications

From this, we can also learn about other conservative groups that integrate into academic institutions.

Social implications

This is a group that has been researched, through which it will be possible to learn about trends of diversity in academia and other public institutions. From the findings, it will be possible to design a policy that will suit the sociological, social and cultural composition of the students, in order to enable access to higher education for more diverse groups.

Originality/value

This is a group that has been researched, through which it will be possible to learn about trends of diversity in academia and other public institutions. From the findings, it will be possible to design a policy that will suit the sociological, social and cultural composition of the students, in order to enable access to higher education for more diverse groups.

Citation

Binhas, A. and Moskovich, Y. (2023), "Social identity dilemmas of ultra-orthodox men in Israeli higher education", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 43 No. 7/8, pp. 695-709. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-07-2022-0173