Globalization’s Influence on Pashtun Cultural Values: A Study of Proverbs about Women across Different Age Groups

Abstract

The study aims to understand the complex relationship between cultural tradition and societal change. It explores the interaction of proverbial knowledge, regional context, and age in shaping societal views of women. This case study focuses on Pashtun (also called Pathan) folklore, showing how femininity was expressed historically, with traces still visible today. The study does not intend to justify or excuse these gender-biased proverbs; instead, it seeks to understand them within their historical and cultural setting. This study examines the relevance of specific proverbs about women among various age groups, focusing on the complexities of cultural tradition and change in both rural and urban contexts, using qualitative analysis of narrative data from a diverse participant group.