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Language
English (en)
Date of Award
5-1-2017
Author's Department
International and Area Studies
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts (A.B.)
Restricted/Unrestricted
Restricted
Abstract
In regards to the conflict between laicité and the headscarves — it has proven to be contentious and very controversial. Most of the French society seeks to maintain a pure secular space and to eradicate headscarves from the public sphere. However, this desire has brought about intense discrimination against Muslim women, many of whom are French citizens, and has induced an infringement upon Muslim women’s right to the freedom of religion. In order to alleviate the discrimination caused by laicité, France must construct laicité to accommodate, rather than to remain pure. Furthermore, France should seek to grow their understanding of the exercise of freedom of religion and to implement these changes through the legal system. Without change within the French society and French law, Muslim women will continue to face inhumane discrimination. To support this claim, it is necessary to first analyze and understand the story of laicité and the way in which this principle was produced by France’s history. Following this discussion, the text moves onto an analysis of the French legal system and the way it systematically ignores and fails to recognize the discrimination against Muslim women by way of the 1989 law. Finally, this text synthesizes the most recent legal decisions on laicité and headscarves through the law of 2004 and points to the continued discrimination against Muslim women.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7936/e31v-tj48
Mentor
Leigh Schmidt
Recommended Citation
Ippolito, Morgan, "Unpacking Laïcité: Law, Religion and Society in France" (2017). Senior Honors Papers / Undergraduate Theses. 187.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.7936/e31v-tj48
Comments
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