Introduction
Modern tendencies of globalization cause changes in all spheres of life. Gender does not remain unaffected as well. In this regard, it seems necessary to consider this issue in the context of the Arab world. This paper is aimed at contextualizing gender in the Arab context considering politics, state, and business areas resulting in the concise analysis of man and woman positions and roles.
Gender in the Arab context
Basic characteristics of the Arab family
To begin with, it is important to examine the basic characteristics of the Arab family to reveal the concept of gender. Its principal feature is that the family is the central socioeconomic unit. The Arab world appreciates a reliable family home. The concept of the family usually includes numerous relatives of the male line. Respect-for-age is traditional and determines the degree of human breeding. At the heart of family relations, there is a code of honor. Moreover, the Arab family remains patriarchal as the father determines every significant issue (Barakat 98). The authority of the father in the Arab world defines the social significance of his son. Besides, one might note the subordination of women while men are allowed to have up to four wives. Despite that fact, the monogamy dominates in plenty of countries. Arabs are convinced that men and women have different personal qualities. Also, the social affirmation of women was possible only within the family. However, nowadays women become more emancipated.
Gender peculiarities in politics and economics in the Arab context
Although women play an insignificant political role, their powers increased over the past few years. In the XX century, the situation of Arab women has changed considerably in major urban centers. The volume of women’s rights enshrined in the laws of Arab countries varies. According to Charrad, “the state mediates gender relations through the law” (63). Nevertheless, one can note the overall trend on the approximation of laws of the Arab countries with the European and international standards concerning the rights of women. At the same time, in many Arab countries, the freedom granted to women who have often ignored them due to strong religious customs.
As it was stated, the effectiveness of the implementation of women’s rights is different. About women’s political rights recognized by the Arab world, there are two groups, in particular, countries that identify them including Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and some others and countries that do not recognize them comprising, for example, Saudi Arabia. However, despite the recognition of the political rights of women, their actual participation in political life in Arab countries is very low and does not affect the functioning of the state. For instance, in most Arab countries, women have a limited right to vote. It seems significant to point out that such elections are not prudent enough. Alsharekh claims:
In Kuwait, where kinship dominates most political transactions, women were expected to vote according to the political affiliation of their family. Even many liberal women who wanted to vote for women realized this would not be a wise political decision since it would take a vote away from a liberal male candidate, many of whom faced Islamist opponents. (110)
The above statement confirms the fact of women’s subordinated position undergoes social, economical, and political changes.
Women and men in Arabian management
Women learn new professions of managers and directors (Omair 112). At the same time, they have to face several challenges. The biggest challenge is not dealing with clients or shareholders, who tries to manage their role as a mother, wife, and businesswoman, but the lack of a culture that supports good work rather than gender. Indeed, it is rather complicated to move up the professional ladder for a woman in Arab countries. However, motivation and family support might lead to professional success.
To combine family and work enjoying financial well-being and at the same time swimming in the love of friends and relatives, women had to make every effort. Support of the family, particularly of women’s husbands is the key to success. It is important to find a balance between family and career. It helps to create an atmosphere of psychological comfort, to maintain a high vitality, and to understand the usefulness of every family member, the value of woman as a leader, and mother at the same time. The especially important thing is the support of the family in difficult moments of trials and tribulations of life when the whole world seems hostile, and only the family gets support and helps to cope with the situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be stressed that the articles used for this paper influenced my understanding of gender in the Arab world. For many years, it was believed that Arab women are weak, submissive and that they are largely dependent on men. Men, in contrast, have always been strong, powerful, capable, and competent dominants. However, today one could hear plenty of women’s voices in the Arab region. Women are not afraid to express their views. Moreover, they form a traditional society and transform it into a more flexible overcoming gender inequality, opening new ways in the educational, social, economic, and political fields.
Works Cited
Alsharekh, Alanoud. The Gulf Family, London: London Middle East Institute, 2007. Print.
Barakat, Halim. The Arab World: Society, Culture, and State, Berkeley: U of California, 1993. Print.
Charrad, Mounira. “State and Gender in the Maghrib.” Women and Power in the Middle East. Ed. Joseph Suad and Susan Slyomovics. Pennsylvania: U of Pennsylvania, 2001. 61-71. Print.
Omair, Katlin. “Women in Management in the Arab Context.” Education, Business & Society Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues 1.2 (2008): 107-23. Print.