Changing Family Patterns in the Arab East.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to assemble data on some of the changes taking place in the 20th century in Sunni Muslim family life in the Eastern Mediterranean a region which lies in the heart of a vast cultural continent extending from Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean to Afghanistan in Central Asia. Attention in this volume is directed to the following: the contemporary revolution in family life; the approach to the study of Sunni families of the Arab Levant (the 3 states of the Eastern Mediterranean -- Lebanon Syria and Jordan); courtship engagement and marriage; extended family ties; family size; modesty and the role of women; and divorce and polygyny. Particular focus is on the changes relating to the role and status of women. The evidence was clear that in the region studied important changes were occurring in patterns of family life and in the role of women. The fact that these changes are taking place without large scale industrialization and are being initiated by the upper and middle classes has implication for theories of modernization and social change. The picture that emerges is not simply one of generalized changes. There are some aspects of the traditional picture which have survived and others which have survived in some segments of society. Although marriages continue to be arranged by elders today both daughters and sons are usually consulted in advance and in the cities at least the couple have met (in a group situation) before the engagement. Age at marriage for men continues to be rather late but age at marriage for women is increasing. Women now feel that marriage before age 17 is too early. The preference for marrying relatives is still noticeable but it is on the decline in the cities. Beliefs about the proper role of women are changing throughout the region. Veiling of the face is everywhere disappearing and education for girls is generally approved. There is some evidence that divorce is about as often instigated by the wife as by the husband and polygyny is declining throughout the region.