7. Majority Society and Women’s Capacity of Action

Although their immediate socialisation takes place within the family and the ethnic group, Muslim women form an integral part of the majority society in which they live and most consider themselves as such. However, their relationship with majority society reveals a kaleidoscope of features, both positive and negative and in accordance with French or British specificities, which affect their action. The first section of this chapter examines obstacles and facilitating factors present in majority society and how they advance or detract from Muslim women’s autonomisation and capacity of action. The second part is dedicated to their parameters of action and the various strategies adopted by Muslim women to build autonomy for themselves and pursue their respective projects.