Gender Fluidity and Social Survival in Afghanistan: A Study of Hidden Lives, Hidden Identities in Jenny Nordberg’s The Underground Girls of Kabul

Abstract

Afghanistan has endured a relentless series of wars, external invasions, and political and religious turmoil. These factors have led to numerous crises, including high mortality rates, lack of education, the rise of terrorism, and widespread poverty. Women and children have borne the brunt of these hardships. Among the deeply ingrained practices in the country is bacha posh, where a family with no sons may choose to raise a daughter as a boy. The girl is given the rights and freedoms typically reserved for boys, but once she reaches puberty, she is expected to revert to her female identity and is often married off. In Afghan society, girls are generally unwanted, and a woman's worth is tied to her ability to bear sons. If she cannot, she is often seen as cursed.

METHODOLOGY: Qualitative research seeks to collect and analyses non-numeric data to understand an individual's social reality, including their attitudes, beliefs, and motivations. Information for the literature review is sourced from various materials, including educational websites, peer-reviewed journals, and online resources.

FINDINGS AND RESULT: This paper explores the bacha posh practice and examines the psychological impact on girls who are forced to transition back to their female identity. It also highlights how some women view bacha posh as a means of resistance, as depicted by investigative journalist Jenny Nordberg in her book The Underground Girls of Kabul, which follows real-life women challenging rigid cultural norms in search of self-meaning.