Living on a double-edged sword: Intergenerational perspectives of women from Gypsy groups about the influence of education on cultural identity.

• Formal education is promoting changes on Gypsy cultural behaviors • Separation strategies are privileged to preserve cultural values and belongingness • Gypsy people struggle to adjust behaviors without compromising cultural values • More education fosters women's willingness to challenge gender roles and identities This work presents a multiple case study aimed at depicting the perspectives of women from Gypsy groups regarding the perceived influence of education on acculturative pathways. Data were drawn from a sample of eight semi-structured interviews with women aged between 17 and 52 years old, with different education levels. Different patterns of acculturation strategies were found across acculturation domains and generations. Despite still endorsing a separation stance to preserve cultural values, the exposure to mainstream values and expectations through education was found to shape young women's perspectives regarding gendered roles and identities. Findings contribute to the debate on the complexity of acculturation and enculturation processes and on the influence of gender issues in the systematic exclusion of Gypsy groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]