Arab America: Gender, Cultural Politics, and Activism - Research Paper Example

Arabic and Western culture: Arabic culture 1. Positive factor: a. Family-orientation Arab culture is very family-oriented. Family members are not kept on the periphery as in the West, rather their participation is seen in every activity of a person. Even if a person does not live with family in the same house which is very rare, weekly meetings are common routine. Family is given the highest value among all relationships and every member is respected a lot. There is strong attachment to family and children’s wellbeing is prioritized (Naber 66). No parent even thinks of running out on their family to pursue personal interests. There is no concept of abandoning family in Arab societies. b. How family-orientation affects the society positively? There are many positive aspect of a family-oriented Arab culture. For example, people have a lower tendency to feel alone or emotionally deprived in the Arab societies as compared to Western societies. Of course, Westerners have friends, but usually, it is only about good time and a few laughs. But, with family, it is not only about having a good time together because Arab family members get really close together if one among them is faced with a nasty problem. This factor ensures healthy individuals who are important for a healthy society. c. How family-orientation contributes to strength of society? Arab society is strengthened when family members are not scattered, but closely bonded. Wellbeing of society is affected by a large population of socially isolated people because usually, such people are at a higher risk of committing suicide or engaging in crime. A close family minimizes the risk of anyone moving towards crime because everyone keeps a watch on everyone else. This pattern of caring and being protective of each other contributes to strength of society. 2. Negative factor: a. Inherent Conservatism: Inherent conservatism is a very negative aspect of Arab culture or society. This relates to a political and religious doctrine which permeates every social barrier advocating the preservation of orthodox values which are seen as the best and repressing new changes which are seen as satanic. Anything remotely related to Western culture is strongly opposed by religious fundamentalists even if it is not slightly harmful in any way. Youth seeks to be modern, but with social conservatism. It is due to this conservatism hat there is a patriarchal view of society and unless challenged, Arab society will always remain patriarchal. b. How inherent conservatism affects the society negatively? Inherent conservatism affects the society negatively when women who wish to work outside are faced with increased societal pressure to give up their interests. Female representation in the employment sector is drastically meagre. There are ideals set by society for women and all women are expected to abide by them. Usually, a woman who gives up her career to look after her home is appreciated by society. This affects the society negatively because an imbalance is created and many women are left dissatisfied. c. How inherent conservatism contributes to weakness of society? A society grows weaker when its members are not fulfilled and lack opportunities. In a conservative culture, men typically have more resources and enjoy more opportunities than women. Now, women are fundamentally important units of a society and their representation on every level on an equal level as men is critically important. Women outnumber men in Arab societies. When they are not given high positions, less capable men take their place which is a negative trend that does not benefit the society. Western Culture 1. Positive factor: a. Individual freedom: Individual freedom is a very big concept in Western culture and huge stress is laid on it. Violating someone’s personal space is considered a very unethical thing in Western culture and which is common routine in Arab culture. Individual freedom lets people voice their opinions on any matter however unorthodox they may be. Every person is considered free and responsible for whatever choice he/she wishes to make. There is no intrusion because personal freedom is encouraged. This doctrine of individual freedom is “reinforced by every major social institution in Western culture” (McNamara 44). b. How individual freedom affects the society positively? Personal freedom affects society positively because it advocates a democratic political system where no person is endangered. It is due to the fact that every person is liberated and enjoys plentiful of opportunities that Western society is not patriarchal. If someone wants personal space or seeks freedom, he/she is not labelled a rebel by society. No one is refused this basic right, rather it is encouraged to become independent. This makes for happier individuals and a positive society. c. How individual freedom contributes to strength of society? It is due to individual freedom that people from every background can be seen voicing their opinions about every issue. People are not forced or repressed by powerful groups in society to be silent and compliant. Minorities are well-represented and differences are tolerated. It is due to individual freedom that homophobic stereotypes are strongly disapproved. For example, bullying someone on basis of sexual orientation is a violation of individual freedom. This trend contributes to strength of society. 2. Negative factor: a. Moral transgression: Moral transgression of Western society is not news to rest of the world. This transgression has been depicted well in movies for many years now. Many social evils have originated from this transgression like objectification of women, use of abusive language, glamorization of drugs, and increased rate of homicide. There is more Barbarianism now due to this violation of moral code than there ever was in the golden age of moralized Western society. Female objectification is supported by a large group of lawyers in the name of freedom, but actually, it is a really horrific issue with shameful consequences. b. How moral transgression affects the society negatively? Female exploitation is reinforced by moral transgression which affects the society negatively. For example, when female body parts are made way more pronounced than the product promoted, it negatively affects society because such advertising conveys wrong messages to children and youth. It tells them to not respect women for who they are, but think of them as sexual beings alone. Such images are advertised by Western media which present objectionably weird poses of women to help men derive satisfaction from them. c. How moral transgression contributes to weakness of society? Moral transgression contributes to weakness of society when civilization is replaced with barbarianism. Horrendous interests of the corrupt groups in society, which have grave social repercussions, are advanced by media by way of female exploitation. Other than that, increasingly abusive language suggests just how uncivilized Western youth has become. There is lack of respect for parents and elders. Family bonds hold less and less value with passing time. All these features contribute to weakness of society. Works cited: McNamara, Thomas E. Evolution, Culture, and Consciousness: The Discovery of the Preconscious Mind. University Press of America, 2004. Print. Naber, Nadine. Arab America: Gender, Cultural Politics, and Activism. NYU Press, 2012. Print. Read More