United Arab Emirates Culture : Family, Date And Marriage

In many societies, the relationships between people differ and in some ways are all alike. None so obscure as the relationship between man and woman. It is especially intriguing to witness the compatibility of both especially in marriage. Using the three novels Pillars of Salt, by Fadia Faqir, A Woman of Five Seasons, by Leila Al-Atrash, and A Balcony over the Fakihani, by Liyana Badr one might begin to analyze the different relationships between men and women in Arab culture. While any relationship is uniquely different, these novels will aid in getting a better idea about Arab women and their husbands.

The diversity of culture is an incredible notion. It is unfathomable how the anatomy of the human race is so similar, yet so different in the behaviors and ideas that take place. The two primary cultures I am focusing on throughout this essay are the differentiation between popular culture, and indigenous culture. I will also make the point of folk culture, and how it has slowly transformed itself from its self sufficiency, to relying more on the ways of popular culture.

Culture is one of the most relevant elements that can define not only a society but also a country’s cumulative beliefs and system. Often noted as the origins of a country, culture is definitive in the sense that it harbors all the elements that can provide justification on the traditions and norms set by the society for its members. More often than not, the society members follow norms in order to create a harmonious community, and the beliefs and the traditions serve as the poles or grounding rules for each member to follow. Culture is very dynamic in the way that it can change over a variety of foreign influences but what is permanent about it is that original elements about it often lingers with the influences, therefore making it multi-faceted and broad. More importantly, culture serves as an individual and unique trait each society has, and therefore sets it apart from other countries and other societies.

Arab Americans are defined primarily of their religious identity and they reside in all 50 states. The first generation of immigrants from the Middle East dates back to late 1800s. The majority of immigrants’ population came from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. Religion plays an important role in the Arab society and most of their way of life is not necessary because of their religion. Like many other immigrants, the reason these immigrants migrated to the United States was to escape the religious persecution, an opportunity to build a better life. Majority of how Arabs interact and the way their culture is has to do with the Koran and it is one of the foundations of Islamic law. In the Arab American culture, family is an important aspect and everyone plays their respective role. Fathers are the head of the households and are expected to provide for his wife and children. The women has restrictive education and they help support the family by caring for the house. Kids take on a role are taught by their parents depending on their gender. Boys are most likely to follow the footsteps of the father to prepare to care for his own family one day. The girls learn the basics of running a household. It is common for the children to live with their parents until they marry or live with them to care for them as they age and can no longer care for themselves. The Arab culture also value respecting the elders and they are often the decision makers in the family. The family

The author begins the article by preparing the audience what is about to come. Telling the audience that cultures around the world have unusual customs and an anthropologist would even seek out a culture that has one when everyone seems to agree. He then talks about the Nacirema tribe and the extremities of their practices.

For this assignment the cultural manifestations I selected to discuss as being important to our Unit’s success are Wasta, Deference to authority, and Tendency to seek compromise. Of course understanding all of the cultural manifestations are important to our unit’s success, but each region within the Middle East-North African (MENA) region will have their own variations based upon which branch of Islam is dominant in the region, what that region’s experience has been with the U.S. or a Western presence in general and numerous other factors such as the prevailing socio-economic factors of the region.

Every family as a small social institute creates a whole society. Originally family relationships in Canada and Saudi Arabia is quite different. Differences in family function and family structure in Canada and Saudi Arabia are generally

However, this is due to how most Americans often have a diverse background and they often focus on ancestry rather than culture. American families aren’t as close to their entire family; making their children grow up and become independent quickly. This could be why the majority of American children leave their parent’s house at the age of 18, while a Hispanic child spends a few more years at home. While American family values are more independent, Arabic culture spends more time together and are dependent on each other. Arabs honor and venerate their family and the larger the family the better (Lehman, Chiu & Schaller, 2004).

Accordingly, Goforth, 2011; Hammad et.al., 1999 stated Arab culture is described as collectivist because individuals have a close; long-term commitment to their family. The family honor is one of the most important values for the Arab American family, since the male is the dominant role in the family.

It is a challenge to provide important information about specific cultures without the appearances of stereotyping and many educational programs are focused on helping learners to understand how to communicate with individuals from other cultures or with beliefs and experiences that are different from their own. (Fetters, 2005, p. 1307)

For this assignment I was able to talk to three different people who have very different culture than I do. I spoke with a friend at work who is Tongan and from Hawaii, my best friend who married a man born and raised in Chili and is raising her children in that culture, and

Although couples are more cautious, it is evident that marriages across Canada have been decreasing due to the severity and responsibilities accompanied with marriage. In the article, Mary Ann Murphy, a sociology professor from UBC, states “‘People are now viewing the coupling decision with more knowledge, confidence, skepticism and care than ever before.’” As the understanding

Additionally, on page 104 of our textbook, it states that Arab Americans “believe in a more collectivist orientation” (Manning 104). Individuals tend to take care of themselves. The Arab culture is also male dominated and majority of Arabs are Muslims. Arab-American students could explain to their classmates their traditions or customs. They could explain their restricted diets or women who wear Hijabs, could explain the significance of them.

Ms. Rana Nejem discusses cultural intelligence and achieving a better understanding of other cultures, specifically Arab's culture. Arab countries are unfortunately commonly associated with ISIS and the issues of poverty and extreme wealth. Ms. Rana Nejam's purpose is to explain how this is grossly inept at representing true Arab culture. America has only been reporting the negatives and misfortunes of these countries, while omitting the positive growth and economic improvement that Arab countries have been experiencing.

Thesis: Women’s status in marriage, commerce, their family and the government changed greatly from Pre-Islamic Arabia to Islamic Arabia.