אקולוגיה חברתית של אקדמיה, מגדר ותרבות: המקרה של נשים חרדיות היוצאות ללימודים אקדמיים בישראל – מניעים, אתגרים ודרכי התמודדות

The purpose of this article is to examine the connections between gender, culture, and higher education through a case study of the integration process of ultra-Orthodox women into the higher education system in Israel, which in practice demonstrates a conflict between the macrosystems of ultra-Orthodox society and Israeli-Western society. The article examines the motivations for their academic studies, the challenges they face, and their coping methods during their studies in light of the unique gender-cultural status of ultra-Orthodox women and through an examination of the systems of influence close to the individual (microsystem) and distant from the individual (macrosystem), referring to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory. In addition, the article examines the characteristics of ultra-Orthodox society and its values, which reflect the status and unique gender role of women in this society, as well as the difficulties faced by ultra-Orthodox women before and during their decision to enroll in academic studies.An understanding of the processes undergone by these women may help to understand the needs of ultra-Orthodox women in the academy and adapt study frameworks to these needs in order to successfully help them to finish their studies and receive an academic degree. In the long term, the fact that these women are “ambassadors” in their community, who influence the systems by which they are affected, may serve as a model for additional ultra-Orthodox women to study and expand their employment in the fields required for the economy and its development. The entry of ultra-Orthodox women into the world of higher education may also have an impact on other societies that are traditional in nature – wherein gender and culture dictate specific patterns of action for the individual – even in remote social and cultural systems.