Quantitative research toipc (2)

Impacts of social factors on veil practice Abstract The current study is conducted to measure the perceptions of veiled females regarding veil practice. It also reveals that how different social factors laid their impact on veil practice in society. Study is limited to veiled females, students of University of the Punjab. By using quantitative research approach, data was collected by distributing questionnaire among female students (n=30) of three different departments of University of the Punjab. Results revealed that there are different social factors which are connected with veil practice according to the perceptions of veiled females. Introduction We are living in an Islamic country, which has its own religious and cultural traits. The foremost characteristic of any culture is religion and religious norms. Therefore in every society there are some essentials and exclusively features, norms and modes that shape its identity. Veil refers to a dress code, followed by Muslim women and a modest Islamic style of dress. The word veil mean a curtain, means to hide, the literal meaning of veil is to cover, and veil is also a piece of fine material that women puts over her head and face. Veil is defined as a length of cloth worn over the head, shoulders, and often the face, especially by women. (The Free Dictionary) The veil refers to clothing which covers and conceals the body from head to ankles, with the exception of the face, hands and feet. (Hoodfar, 2012) There are certain social factors in the society that affect the veil practice and can be the reasons to wear veil among females. Social factors are the facts and experiences that influence individuals, personality, attitudes and lifestyles, such as stereotype behaviors of people of society, self-security, educational environment, peer groups, working environment, patriarchal mindset, women empowerment (women friendly society), community ideology, family background, demographic area and also physical hygiene, which lay an effect on practice of veil. Social factors Social factors are those Influences or acts which contribute to produce a result that affect our thoughts and behavior in social situations. This includes feedbacks, splitting into smaller groups and unresolved conflicts. Social factors affect how we behave in social situations. (psychologydictionary.org) Stereotype behavior Attitudes and beliefs Social mobility Community /societies ideology Patriarchal mindset Ethics and religion Women empowerment Demographic background Educational status Religious priorities/obligations Employment status Self-security Secure Muslim identity Peer groups Protection from Sexual Harassment Background The practice of veil is pre Islamic and it originate in non-Arab Middle Eastern and Mediterranean societies. The initial reference of veiling is in an Assyrian legal text which dates from the thirteenth century BC. Historically, veiling was a sign of status and was practice by the elite in the ancient Greco-Roman and pre Islamic Iranian. Muslim adopted the veil by conquered people and it is widely practiced by Muslims and non-Muslims. In the popular urban culture of Iran, when there was happened a situation of conflict between men and women, who did not belong to category of close relatives, a very effective threat that women had was to drop their veil, and thus indicated that did not consider the contester to be a man. That was assumed as an insult, and cause men to be wary of getting into arguments with women. Moreover in Middle East, according to Muslims, women should cover their hair and body when they are in the presence of adult men who do not belong to specified category of close blood relations, thus when women put on their veil or take off their veil, they are defining who may or may not be considered kin. (Hoodfar,) Veiling is specifically discussed in Quran which recommended that women cover their bosoms and jewelry. This verse interprets that women should cover themselves. (Surah al-Nur, verse 30-31) Another verse in Quran recommends to the wives of the Prophet to wrap their cloaks tightly around their bodies, so as to be recognized and not be bothered or molested in public. (Surah al-Ahzab, verse 59) In present era, there are raising many slogans and voices on fundamental human rights, United Nation’s charter of human rights is a milestone on this globe to enjoy individual rights and lifestyle of his/her own choice irrespective of cast, color, creed and religion. Pakistan has a very rich and variety of cultural heritage, therefore due to cultural variety or diversity people use diversified dresses and therefore, there are diversities in social attitudes and behaviors. Pakistan has no law banning on or enforcing the veil. Surveys conducted in Pakistan show that most women wearing veil as their own choice. Islamic veil is considered to be sober and modest dressing among women but also their lies diversity in opinion of females in adopting this dress code. Nowadays, some females wear veil as they consider it a protection from being harassed and seen as sexual object in this patriarchal society. Some use veil as it is a religious obligation and a physical safety practice by women. There also appear strong peer effects on veiling with the opinion of friends, family and community members, influencing the decision to practice veil. In Pakistan there is separate system of education up to graduate level but at higher education and in professional education institutions there is co-education system. So, it affects to female students who belong from the society where there is compulsion to hide their face from male members other than their family members. Therefore, as a result it affects their education especially in the campuses where there culture of veil is not so frequent. Significance Now a day, there is an increasing tendency of veil practice among Muslim females throughout the world, so it would be helpful to represent a significant image of Muslim veiled females at global level and encourage the practice of veil in existing society. Current study would be helpful to promote favorable social factors that reflect the veil practice in an Islamic mainstream context as a modest code of dressing among Muslim females. Objectives To bring into light the perceptions of veiled females. To measure the impacts of social, economic and religious factors, which are responsible for increasing trend of veil practice among female students. Hypothesis The lower the favorable impacts of social factors the higher the level of veil practice. Summary of introduction There is notable increasing tendency of veil among girls nowadays. Veil refers to an Islamic modest dress code for women in Muslim communities, in existing society women wear veil by her own choice to be protected and move confidently in this patriarchal society as well as consider it a religious and social practice to cover her body properly. So this study is conducted to measure the impacts of social factors of the society towards practice of veil in the light of the perceptions of veiled female students. Literature review Pakistani society is a multicultural society, in which majority of people is Muslim. Muslim started their journey from Medina with their peculiar Arab culture and adopted all the elements and factors of culture of their subordinates’ nation that were not against the fundamental principles of Islam. With an estimated population of 169 million as of 2010, this country has distinct diversity of ethnic groups and tribes, having evolved through its history of invaders who later settled and mixed with local population. Islam is the official religion of the state and Urdu as official language. Men use to wear shalwar qameez and and the same dress with Dopatta is commonly used by women. Islamic veil encompasses more than a dress code. Every society not only preserves its values and norms but also manage to transfer them to next generation. Modesty and piousness is very unique characteristic of Islamic society.as a result, Islamic veil considered as modest dressing and modest behavior. Studies provide evidence to the idea that a large number of Muslim women use veil as a part of their culture. A study conducted to measure the attitude of university students about veiling or not reveals that unveiled students were very careful in their comments but certainly were not in favor of adopting it. The study shows that personal preferences, religious obligation, family pressure and social values were the main causes of wearing veil (Awan et al., 2011). Due to modern social demands, influence of media and lack of awareness about Islamic obligations, a large majority of women do not use veil especially in elite class of urban areas or among women relatively having their education. In fact if a woman doesn’t want to believe in it, she risks even more vulnerable situation. Veil provides freedom to women from being thought of as sexual object of ill wishes or from being valued for their looks or body shape rather than their minds and intellect. Veil liberate women from the need to conform to unrealistic stereotypes and images dictated by the media. Women wearing hijab have expressed that dressing modestly and covering their hair, minimize sexual harassment at the work place. The aura of privacy created by veil is indicative the great value Islam places upon women (Arshad, Basar, Zafar, Ahmad, 2012). The main purpose of the veil and other clothes is to protect their innocence and to prevent lust of observers in the public space. In the various local forms, such a pattern was dominant until the 20th century. The trend of wearing the veil is used by many analysts as an example of growing Islamic enthusiasm. Is it really so? Judith Miller explains how many women that she came across while traveling in Muslim countries liked that style and not necessarily for political reasons. Some women told her that they cannot afford themselves a weekly visit to hairdresser or fancy makeup as some Arab middle class women take for granted. (Miller, 2006) In Kasbah, Algerian town, families sleep in shifts and women share bathrooms not only with male members of their family but male neighbors and even strangers. In these situations the veil serves as psychological and physical protection. In overcrowded and uncomfortable Middle Eastern cities, full of young frustrated men that came in search for job, the veil creates psychological and physical border, which no sexually active young man dares to desecrate. The veil is sending a message: I am a religious woman. Leave me alone. This example confirms how the veil represents a public statement. Woman that wears it manifests her identity. Giving the fact that she does that in public, she expresses her political attitude as well. In a modern society, the veil as a symbol of distinction, worn with big sun glasses, was promoted by grand movie stars like Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren. Yet, in the same modern society, the veil is still perceived as a symbol that implies something old, tradition, historical, religious, rural and backward. Therefore it is undoubtedly surprising to see how young women voluntarily accept the veil as a symbol of particular identity in modern societies like those of USA and EU. It is rather confusing when young, urban, highly educated Muslim women wear such a thing.it becomes even more confusing when we realize that these women were in fact born and educated in those countries, speak the language, participate in culture and have the citizenship. In the eyes of contemporary western observer such a status considered to be higher than these Muslim women would have in their own Muslim societies. From his perspective, wearing a veil symbolizes a position of women, which is associated with terms like backward, closed, oppressed, and hindered. (Kulenovic', 2006) (Bano, 2012, as cited in Khan, 2014) writes that The veil is the prestige and honors of every woman and it also a protection of ethical norms. The veil is a right and identity of Muslim women of entire Muslim world struggling for their due rights. Veiling is considered a religious obligation among Muslim women. With respect to veil there is certain Ayah in the Holy Quran (saying of Almighty Allah) as well as Hadiths (saying of the Holy Prophet SAW) that confirmed veil as a religious obligation for Muslim women. For a long time Muslim ruled Indo Pak Sub continent which influencing heavily on local society. Role of Sufis is another factor of religious attitude of people of Pakistan. But the slogans of modernization and imitation of traditions of developed countries is a common issue now day that is spoiling the culture of non-developed countries. As Pakistan is a country among those which remained a colony of the British, who while leaving the region left behind some cultural elements that have been dominated in the society by the name of modernization and the veil is one of these changing cultural aspects. (Arshad, irfan, zaman, akhtar, shahzad, 2012) When did the veil enter the Islamic tradition? The veil had first been worn by women from the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’s household, in order to prevent potential rumors about their relationships outside the household. It is the strong egalitarian Islamic culture that inspired other Muslim women outside the household to start wearing the veil. When Christian women who lived near Muslim population saw how much respect Muslim women enjoyed in their community, they also started to follow the trend. In the Islamic interpretation of the world the sexes are not equal. They are rather complementary. Quran emphasizes the economic base of man’s social role. In return, a woman is obliged to sustain the morality, family and property which Quran emphasizes the reproductive and moral base of woman’s social role. The Quran’s revelation changed the perception of women social role. The activism of Islamic women is also visible. Their public appearance occurs worldwide: from demonstration of armed and veiled women in Iran to demonstrations of Muslim women in European and American cities that happen for various reasons. As a result, how this new dress code of Muslim women (veil, coat, gloves) enables women to full fill two opposing goals. Women go out of isolation while at the same time keep their feelings of modesty by wearing the veil. This is how a Muslim woman accepts Islamic identity by wearing the veil and at the same time keeps her essence by participating in the modern world. In the controversy about the veil has been presented to the democratic public in France as the issue of freedom of beliefs and expression. The media had special emphasis on the young Muslim women who insisted on their desire to obtain modern education while wearing the veil as a protection of values of their religion from the external contamination. Rise of consciousness about Muslim women’s identity that they gained throughout the process of cultural adjustment, shows how they acquired enough self-consciousness that enables them to expose their private identity in public, asking for its equality. Sometimes the wearing of the veil is wrongly interpreted. Namely, non-Muslim authors, looking at the issue from their perspective, try to impose their attitude as the correct one. Therefore, the modern identity of Muslim women, which includes the wearing of the veil, is primarily the identity of resistance to the values as such imposed on them (Kulenovic', 2006). The deputy secretary JI Women Wing Durdana Siddiqui during a press conference held on World Women Veil Day on August 30, 2013 said that, the different programs would be arranged on World Women Veil Day in order to foster the importance of veil among Muslim women. She welcomed the increasing trend of veil in new generation, who are living in western countries and cover their faces according to the Islamic rules (khan, 2014). Summary of literature review Pakistan has a multicultural background as many invaders invade in the country and transferred their own cultural norms and values to the next generations. But also with the invading western culture in our society, Muslim woman also liberate herself from the stereotypes, ill wishes and from being an object of sexual harassment because wearing veil make them confident to move independently in this patriarchal society and conform unrealistic and threatened behaviors of masses. There are many controversies about veil presented at international level nowadays to represent the social and religious status of Islamic women, and due to exchanging controversies there has been seen a great increase in use of veil among Muslim women in West as well as in Pakistan. The Muslim women wear veil as they feel comfortable and a mean of protection of the values of their religion and also secure them from the thoughts of sexual object in public places and at workplaces. Feminist theory Branch of feminism: Cultural feminism Cultural feminism is a theory that wants to overcome sexism (prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex) by celebrating women’s special qualities, women’s ways and women’s experience, often believing that women’s way is the better way. (www.amazoncastle.com) Theory of social identity (Henri Tajfel’s, 1979) Theory of social identity is a theory that belongs to a person’s sense of who they are based on their group membership. Groups that give them a sense of social identity: a sense to belonging to the Social World. In order to increase our self-image we enhance the status of group which we belong. Therefor we divided the world into ‘them’ and ‘us’ based through a process of social categorization. This is known as ‘in-groups’ and ‘out-groups’. Social identity theory states that in-group will discriminate against the out-group, thus enhancing their self-image. (Saul Macleod, 2008) Methodology Research design The current study is a quantitative study, conducted by using the techniques of quantitative research approach. Sampling strategies Population of the study is female university students who wear veil (veiled female students), in University of the Punjab, Lahore. Sample of 30 veiled female students is selected by using stratified random sampling because the entire universe or population is divided/subdivide in homogenous group (veiled female students of Punjab University from three departments, Department of Social Work, Department of Arabic and Department of Education), further sub sample of 10 veiled female students were taken from one of each department for data collection. These sub samples are then combined to form a single sample of the universe (N=30). Tool of data collection Self-developed questionnaire included close ended questions is used as a tool of data collection to collect the data from selected sub samples. Three point Likert scale was used (1-to some extent, 2- to great extent, and 3- not at all) according to the nature of the questions. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA This chapter deals with the analysis and interpretation of data, “Impacts of Social factors on veil Practice”. The instrument used to collect data was Questionnaire by doing survey of three different departments, Department of Social work, Department of Arabic and Department of Education. Only veiled female university students were respondents in this study. The data was collected by using stratified random sampling technique and the total number of respondents was 30, further subdivided into 10 veiled female students from each mentioned departments respectively. SPSS 16 (Statistical Package for Social Science) software was used to analyze data in the form of Frequencies, Percentage, Mean and Standard deviation. (Economic) Table-1 Sample Description of the Study on the Basis of father qualification Frequency Percent Illiterate 5 16.7 Matric/Intermediate 17 56.7 Graduate 7 23.3 Higher 1 3.3 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes the number of respondents with respect to their father’s qualification that is as; 16% of father’s qualification were Illiterate, 56% were Matric/Intermediate, 23% were Graduates and 3% were Higher. Majority of the respondent’s father qualification were Matric/Intermediate. Table-2 Sample Description of the Study on the Basis of mother qualification Frequency Percent Illiterate 4 13.3 Matric/Intermediate 17 56.7 Graduate 6 20.0 Higher 3 10.0 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 13% of respondents’ mother’s qualification were Illiterate, 56% were Matric/Intermediate, 20% were Graduates and 10% were highly qualified. Majority of the respondent’s mother’s qualification were Matric/Intermediate. Table-3 Sample Description of the Study on the Basis of father occupation Frequency Percent Business 8 28.0 Govt. Job 10 32.0 Private Job 6 20.0 Farmer 6 20.0 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows that 30% respondents’ father’s occupation was businessman, 30% were doing Govt. Job, 20% were private job and 20% father’s occupation was farmer. Majority of the respondent’s father’s occupation was govt. job. Table 4 Description mothers occupation Frequency Percent Business 0 0% Government job 1 3.3% Private job 3 10% Farmer 1 3.3% Others 25 83.4% Total 30 100% Table-5 Sample Description of the Study on the Basis of family class Frequency Percent Upper 2 6.7 Middle 26 86.7 Lower 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 6% respondent’s family class was upper level, 86% respondent’s family class was middle level and 6% respondent’s family class was lower level. Majority of the respondent’s family was belongs to middle class. Table-6 Do females wear veil because they cannot afford expensive clothing or weekly visit to hairdresser or fancy makeup Frequency Percent To great extent 2 6.7 To some extent 8 26.7 Not at all 20 66.6 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows the results that 66.6% majority of respondents were not agree that females wear veil because they cannot afford expensive clothing or weekly visit to hairdresser or fancy makeup, while 26.7% respondents were agree to some extent with the statement and 6.7% respondents were agree at great extent. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents Table-7 Veil hinders to get a job/employment. Frequency Percent To great extent 2 6.7 To some extent 22 73.3 Not at all 6 20 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows that 73.3% majority of veiled females were accepted that veil hinder to get a job, while only 20% were denied this statement. (Social) Table-8 Sample Description of the Study on the Basis of geographical area Frequency Percent Urban 18 60.0 Rural 12 40.0 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 60% respondent’s geographical area was Urban and 40% respondent’s geographical area was Rural. Majority of the respondents belong to urban areas. Table-9 Does parent’s qualification affect the decision to practice veil Frequency Percent To great extent 2 6.7 To some extent 13 43.3 Not at all 15 50.0 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows that 50% respondents were not agree that this parent’s qualification affects the decision to practice veil, 43% were agree to some extent and only 6.7% were agree to great extent. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were not agree that parent’s qualification affect the decision to practice veil. Table-10 Why practices veil? Family pressure Peer effects (peer groups) Feel comfortable socially and physically Secure Muslim identity To great extent 3.3% 0% 83.4% 63.3% To some extent 36.7% 23.3% 16.6% 36.7% Not at all 60% 76.7% 0% 0% Total 100 100 100 100 Above table shows that majority of the females 83.4% wear veil because they feel comfortable in veil and 63.3% practice veil to secure their Muslim identity. While on the other hand 76.6% and 60% were denied that they practice veil due to peer effects and family pressure respectively. Therefore a mutual result shows that majority of females practice veil because they feel comfortable. Table-11 Do females wear veil to hinder their class status Frequency Percent To great extent 2 6.7 To some extent 5 16.7 Not at all 23 76.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows 76% respondents were not accepted that females wear veil to hinder their class status, while 16.7% accepted to some extent and 6.7% were at great extent. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were not agree that women wear veil to hinder their class status. Table-12 Do females belong to rural areas prefer to wear veil as compare to females belong to urban areas Frequency Percent To great extent 6 20.0 To some extent 13 43.3 Not at all 11 36.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 43% respondents were agree to some extent that females belong to rural areas prefer to wear veil as compare to females belong to urban areas, while 36% respondents were not agree with the statement and 20% respondents were agree to great extent. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were agree to some extent with this statement. Table-13 Does veil makes females confident to move in this patriarchal (male dominant) society independently Frequency Percent To great extent 19 63.3 To some extent 9 30.0 Not at all 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 63.3% majority of respondents were agree to great extent that veil makes females confident to move in this patriarchal (male dominant) society independently, 30% respondents were agree to some extent with the statement and 6% respondents were remained not at all. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were agree to great extent. Table-14 Are veiled females feel more protected sexually as compare to unveil? Frequency Percent To great extent 23 76.7 To some extent 2 6.7 Not at all 5 16.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 76.7% majority of respondents were agree to great extent that veiled females more protected sexually as compare to unveil, while 16.7% respondents were disagree and 6.7% respondents were agree to some extent. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were agree to great extent. Table-15 Veil should be a compulsion while you are studying in coeducation? Frequency Percent To great extent 16 53.3 To some extent 12 40.0 Not at all 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 53.3% respondents showed their favorable attitude that Veil should be a compulsion while you are studying in coeducation, while 40% respondents were agree to some extent and 6% respondents were disagree. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were agree to great extent that veil should be a compulsion in co-education. Table-16 Veil practice provides a sense of physical protection at university campus in unpleasant environment. Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 26 86.7 To some extent 4 13.3 Not at all 0 0 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows that 86.7% high majority of female respondents were agree to great extent that veil practice provide them physical protection from unpleasant environment in university campus, while highly low 13.3% were showed less favorable response to the statement. Table-17 Veil allows veiled females to participate in curriculum and extra curriculum activities willingly (freely). Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 8 26.6 To some extent 20 66.7 Not at all 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 Current table reveals that 66.7% female respondents agree to some extent that veil allows veiled females to participate in curriculum and extra curriculum activities willingly, 26.6% slightly less response showed to great extent and 6.7% highly low were denied the statement. Table-18 Females wear veil to maintain their physical hygiene/physical health. Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 10 33.3 To some extent 20 66.7 Not at all 0 0 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows that 66.7% veiled females were agree that they wear veil to maintain their physical health to some extent and 33.3% were agree to great extent with the statement. Table-19 Does veil hinder in the way of women’s progress Frequency Percent To great extent 3 10.0 To some extent 6 20.0 Not at all 21 70.0 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 70% majority of respondents were disagree that veil hinder in the way of progress, while 20% respondents were agree to some extent with the statement and 10% respondents were agree to great extent. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were rejected that veil hinder is in the way of progress. Table-20 In present era veil is wrongly interpreted in our society do you agree Frequency Percent To great extent 6 20.0 To some extent 19 63.3 Not at all 5 16.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 63.3% respondents were agree to some extent that in present era veil is wrongly interpreted in our society, 20% were agree to great extent and 16% respondents were remained not at all. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were agree to some extent that in present era veil is wrongly interpreted in our society as well. Table-21 Veil practice provides mental and physical security at work places. Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 13 86.6 To some extent 2 6.7 Not at all 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 Above results shows that 86.6% a high majority of veiled females were agree that veil provide mental and physical security at work places, while 6.7% a highly low majority of females denied the statement or accept it at some extent Table-22 Veil provides a sense of mental relief from stereotypical behaviors of people. Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 12 40 To some extent 16 53.3 Not at all 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 As above table shows those 53.3% female respondents agreed that veil provide them mental relief from sick minded people and there is slightly low majority of respondents 40% who accept it at great extent. While on the other hand a highly low majority 6.7% of respondents who denied this statement. Table-23 Veil practice protect from lusty and demanding eyes of people in existing patriarchal society. Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 16 53.3 To some extent 6 20 Not at all 8 26.7 Total 30 100.0 Table shows that 53.3% majority of females were agree to great extent that veil practice protect them from lusty and demanding eyes of people, while on the other hand 26.7% were denied the statement. Table-24 Veil wearing provides protection from verbal, non-verbal gestures, comments, indecent voices and physical safety at public places. Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 22 73.3 To some extent 6 20 Not at all 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table reveals that 73.3% high majority of respondents were agree to great extent that veil practice protect them at public places, while only 6.7% were disagree with the statement. Table-25 Does wearing veil ensure women empowerment? Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 12 40 To some extent 16 53.3 Not at all 2 6.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table reveals that 53.3% respondents were agree to some extent that veil practice ensures women empowerment, 40% were agree to great extent which is slightly low majority response and only 6.7% were disagree with the statement. Table-26 Does Veil practice enhance prestige (dignity) of Muslim women? Responses Frequency Percent To great extent 20 66.7 To some extent 10 33.3 Not at all 0 0 Total 30 100.0 Above table shows that majority of respondents which is 66.7% were agree that veil enhance the prestige of women, while 33.3 half of the respondents showed less favorable response. (Religious) Table-27 Does a female wear veil to represent her so called religious attitude to others Frequency Percent To great extent 4 13.4 To some extent 10 33.3 Not at all 16 53.3 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 53.3% respondents were disagree that female wear veil to represent her so called religious attitude to others, while 33% respondents were agree to some extent and 13.4% respondents were accept it to great extent. So therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were disagree that they wear veil to represent their so called religious attitude to others. Table-28 Do veiled females practicing veil because their other family members also practice/wear it and consider it a religious obligation? Frequency Percent To great extent 4 13.3 To some extent 18 60.0 Not at all 8 26.7 Total 30 100.0 Above table describes that 60% respondents were agree to some extent that veiled females practicing veil because their other family members also practice/wear it, 26.7% respondents were not agree with the statement and 13.3% respondents were agree to great extent. Therefore it is concluded that majority of the respondents were agree to some extent with this statement that females practice veil because their other family members also practice it. Table-29 Females practice veil as consider it a religious obligation. Frequency Percent To great extent 12 40.0 To some extent 14 46.7 Not at all 4 13.3 Total 30 100.0 Above tables shows that 46.7% respondents were agree to some extent that veiled females consider veil practice as a religious obligation, while there is slightly low difference among veiled females who were agrees to great extent that they practice veil as consider it a religious obligation. Therefore majority of respondents were agreeing that they practice veil as consider it a religious obligation. Ethical consideration The study is conducted by followed the research ethics. Data is collected by the unbiased and free consent of respondents. It is make sure that there is no act of plagiarism is applied in this study. Limitation of study Some limitations of current study need to be addressed. This study is limited to impacts of social factors on veil practice experienced by veiled females in University of the Punjab, Lahore. Social factors which relate to existing society, the societal behaviors, patriarchal mindset, and educational status, geographical background, women status and women empowerment, religious concerns, community ideology and economic factors and these factors have different impacts on veil practice. Study findings Above data analysis shows that there are variations in the perceptions and responses of female students of mentioned three different departments. Majority of female students 60% belong to urban areas as compare to rural areas and they have slightly different responses towards use of veil as compare to females who belong to rural areas who prefer to wear veil. Study shows that 83.4% high majority of veiled female students practice veil because they feel comfortable socially as well as physically when they wear veil. They are strongly disagree that family or peers have any pressure or affect to practice veil in present era. They are strongly disagree (76.7%) that veil is practiced by females to hinder their class status. Study findings reveal the fact that 50% of females were disagree with the statement that parents qualification have any effect on their decision to wear veil whether they are literate or illiterate. In Pakistani Muslim society veil is also wrongly interpreted, results shows that 63.3% veiled female students are showed favorable attitudes to some extent toward this statement. As far as religion is concerned, 46.7% females were agreed that they are practicing veil as consider it a religious obligation. Whereas security and protection is concerned mostly more than half of the majority 53.3% of veiled females were agree to great extent that veil provide them security and protection from lusty and demanding eyes of sick minded people of existed patriarchal society and 73.3% majority were claimed that veil wearing also provide them a sense of security and physical safety from indecent verbal and non-verbal gestures at public places. The high majority of respondents 86.7% were agreed that veil practice give them a sense of physical and mental safety at university campus in any unpleasant environment. More than half of the majority of veiled females 66.7% was preferred to wear veil as veil practice maintain their physical health/hygiene. Conclusion According to the measurements, parent’s qualification level does not lay any impact on the decision to practice veil, because results shows that veiled females wear veil as they feel comfortable and it provide them a sense of self-security. Social environment of society have a deep impact on veil practice. Current study shows that if there would be the more non-favorable and less women friendly environment the higher the level of veil practice among females. High majority of females wear veil to protect themselves from indecent overtones, verbal and non-verbal gestures, teasing comments and being noticed as a sexual object at public places as well as at work places. In present era, there are many controversies’ being discussed on media as well as at international level against practicing of veil, therefore according to a theoretical perspective of Social identity theory, people enhance the status of the group to which they belong in order to increase their self-image in the social world. So above results shows that there is more than half of the respondents (veiled females) who practice veil to secure their Muslim identity in the society. Therefore current national and international status of the Muslim women and ongoing controversies on it laid an impact on veil practice. Recommendation/suggestions There is more research studies can be conducted on this issue by taking a significance impact of social media on practice of veil as present society is more inclined and inspired by the social media transmissions’. In present modernized and socialized era, in Pakistani Muslim society’s practice of veil should be encouraged. References Arshad,kahlid, Zaman, Akhtar,Asif. (2012, September 22). Association of veiling with religious obligation among University students. International journal of Human resource studies, 63-73. El-Geledi, Y.Bourthis. (2012). Testing the impact of the Islamic Veil on intergroup attitudes and host community acculturation orientations toward Arab Muslims. Internationa Journal of Intercultural Relations, 694-706. Khan, S. A. (2014, May). 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