Testimonial Smothering of the South Asian Experience: Gender Role Socialization

This research paper uses narrative research analysis to examine the impacts of gender role socialization in the lives of self-identified South Asian men and women. This paper is divided into two parts; part one analyzes how gender role socialization impacts self-identified South Asian men and women differently, and part two studies the reluctance of the South Asian community to speak about their experiences due to over stigmatization and stereotyping, also known as “testimonial smothering” (Dotson, 2011). Gender roles and testimonial smothering (Dotson, 2011) are examined through a lens of Critical Race Theory, Critical Race Feminism, and ‘Colonial-Smothering’. Three pairs of differently gendered siblings residing in Ontario went through a process of dyadic-interviewing to share their personal narratives and truths. Their unique experiences highlighted the deep-rooted legacies of patriarchy, colonialism, orientalism, and whiteness that continue to control the gender narratives of South Asian folks. This research points towards fundamental improvements needed to be made within South Asian communities to provide equitable opportunities for both men and women, as well as a dire need for the South Asian community to reclaim their narratives from the clutches of white supremacy.