“Being Myself”: Authenticity in Muslim Women Who Remove the Hijab
Keywords:
Authenticity, Muslim Women, Hijab Removal, PhenomenologyAbstract
Abstract. Muslim women who remove their hijab often face negative stigma in collective cultures, making authentic self-expression challenging. This study explores the dynamics of authenticity among Muslim women who remove their hijab. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews and documentation with two participants and analyzed using Descriptive Phenomenological Analysis (DPA). Results show that authenticity represents the courage to relinquish pressured religious attributes for self-autonomy and alignment with one's true self. The authenticity dynamic progresses from intrapsychic conflict and covert coping due to identity dissonance, to open disclosure facing family rejection, culminating in complete hijab removal. This phase positively impacts authenticity, self-esteem, and independent spiritual reconstruction. The authenticity experience is influenced by conservative religious backgrounds, authoritarian parenting, internalized hijab expectations, emotional suppression, open-minded peers, and positive social responses. The findings highlight the need for safe spaces for religious exploration and psychological support to mitigate emotional challenges during identity crises.
References
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23. Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist's view of psychotherapy. Constable.
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27. Van den Bosch, R., & Taris, T. W. (2014). Authenticity at work: Development and validation of an individual authenticity measure at work. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9413-3
28. Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Baliousis, M., & Joseph, S. (2008). The authentic personality: A theoretical and empirical conceptualization and the development of the Authenticity Scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(3), 385–399. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.55.3.385
29. Yunianti, F. S. (2022). A discursive analysis of hijab removal: Identity and piety. IJISH (International Journal of Islamic Studies and Humanities), 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.12928/ijish.v5i1.5925
30. Zain, M., Aaisyah, S., Alimuddin, A., Abdillah, A. M., & Fauzi, M. F. B. (2023). Hijab discourse in Indonesia: The battle of meaning between sharia and culture in public space. Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga dan Hukum Islam, 7(3), 1661–1681. https://dx.doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i3.19383
2. Aboulhassan, S., & Brumley, K. M. (2019). Carrying the burden of a culture: Bargaining with patriarchy and the gendered reputation of Arab American women. Journal of Family Issues, 40(5), 637–661.
3. Afifa, A., & Kusnarto. (2022). Persepsi followers terhadap postingan keputusan lepas hijab influencer @Rachelvenya di Instagram. Ekspresi dan Persepsi: Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 5(2), 299–307. http://dx.doi.org/10.33822/jep.v5i2.4329
4. Almutawaa, D. S., Nuttall, P., Mamali, E., Al-Mutawa, F. S., & AlJuma, D. H. M. (2024). Paradoxes of (un)veiling and the extended self: The experiences of Arab-Muslim women in Kuwait. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 15(1), 172–191. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-07-2022-0196
5. Ariza-Montes, A., Giorgi, G., Leal-Rodríguez, A., & Ramírez-Sobrino, J. (2017). Authenticity and subjective wellbeing within the context of a religious organization. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, Article 1228. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01228
6. Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469
7. Chenigle, S. (2026). Beyond linear models: How (in)authenticity and identity asymmetry shape the visibility and invisibility of religious identity among Muslim women who wear the hijab at work in France. European Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2026.03.005
8. Dani, W. P., Ginting, E., & Setiawan, M. A. (2025). Persepsi Generasi Z terhadap postingan keputusan lepas hijab influencer @Camilliazr sebagai bentuk ekspresi diri. EduTIK: Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi, 5(4), 1367–1377. https://doi.org/10.53682/q2a5ce94
9. Fani, M., Mohtashami, J., Karamkhani, M., & Abdoljabbari, M. (2020). Confrontation process of students with hijab. Journal of Religion and Health, 57(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0712-1
10. Ginting-Carlström, C. E. (2025). 'Who is the ideal woman?': The subjectification of impoverished Javanese working mothers. Gender, Work & Organization, 32(1), 136–160. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.13140
11. Gregory, S. (2020, June 25). The Muslim influencer who removed her hijab: A publicity stunt or a personal struggle? Religion Media Centre. https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/news/the-muslim-influencer-who-removed-her-hijab-a-publicity-stunt-or-a-personal-struggle/
12. Hardyanti, W. (2019). Penerimaan khalayak terhadap tayangan infotainment tentang fenomena artis lepas jilbab (Studi pada mahasiswi Muslimah di Malang berdasarkan kelompok sosial). Aristo, 7(2), 296–322. http://dx.doi.org/10.24269/ars.v7i2.1569
13. Harter, S. (2002). Authenticity. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 382–394). Oxford University Press
14. Hwang, C., & Kim, T. H. (2020). Religiosity and modesty: How veiled Muslim women in the United States define modest activewear. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 13(2), 131–139.
15. Juwariyah, S. (2019). Muslim women and veiling: What does it signify? Miqot, 43(1), 79–94.
16. Kahija, Y. F. L. (2017). Penelitian fenomenologis: Jalan memahami pengalaman hidup. PT Kanisius.
17. Kernis, M. H. (2003). Toward a conceptualization of optimal self-esteem. Psychological Inquiry, 14(1), 1–26.
18. Maisaroh, S. (2018). Dinamika disonansi kognitif perempuan Muslim melepas hijab (Kasus Rina Nose pada Sriwijaya Post). Jurnal Komunikasi dan Dakwah, 11(2), 81–97. https://doi.org/10.21154/dialogia.v16i1.1279
19. Noor, N., Hamid, B. A., & Amzah, N. (2022). The myth of choice in Maryam Lee’s Unveiling Choice. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 22(4), 59–75. http://doi.org/10.17576/gema-2022-2204-04
20. Pramiyanti, A., Miller, E., Caldwell, G., & Kurniawan, E. (2022). Young Muslim women's negotiation of authenticity on Instagram. International Journal of Communication, 16, 935–957.
21. Rathi, N., & Lee, K. (2021). Does it pay to be authentic? Implications of authenticity for life satisfaction and psychological well-being in a collectivist culture. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(1), 147–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00223-x
22. Riley, R. W. (1996). Revealing socially constructed knowledge through quasi-structured interviews and grounded theory analysis. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 5(1/2), 21–40.
23. Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist's view of psychotherapy. Constable.
24. Syahrivar, J. (2021). Hijab no more: A phenomenological study. Journal of Religion and Health, 60(3), 1969–1991. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01068-7
25. United Nations. (2022, Juli 19). Promoting gender equality in Muslim contexts– women's voices must not be silenced. UN Chronicle. https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/promoting-gender-equality-muslim-contexts-womens-voices-must-not-be-silenced
26. Uzunoğlu, F., & Baynal, F. (2025). Uncovering the hijab among Turkish women: The impact of social media and an analysis through social and cultural capital. Religions, 17(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel17010041
27. Van den Bosch, R., & Taris, T. W. (2014). Authenticity at work: Development and validation of an individual authenticity measure at work. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9413-3
28. Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Baliousis, M., & Joseph, S. (2008). The authentic personality: A theoretical and empirical conceptualization and the development of the Authenticity Scale. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(3), 385–399. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.55.3.385
29. Yunianti, F. S. (2022). A discursive analysis of hijab removal: Identity and piety. IJISH (International Journal of Islamic Studies and Humanities), 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.12928/ijish.v5i1.5925
30. Zain, M., Aaisyah, S., Alimuddin, A., Abdillah, A. M., & Fauzi, M. F. B. (2023). Hijab discourse in Indonesia: The battle of meaning between sharia and culture in public space. Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga dan Hukum Islam, 7(3), 1661–1681. https://dx.doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i3.19383
Published
2026-07-30
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