Women, Family and the Discovery of Oil in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Saudi society has witnessed massive changes in a short period of time. This paper investigates the impact of these changes on the Saudi family in general and women in particular. Data were collected from questionnaires and interviews of 95 Saudi working women in Riyadh city, the capital of Saudi Arabia. This study reports that not all aspects of the Saudi family have changed in the same degree. Marital aspects such as housing, home appliances, furniture, and brideprice have changed faster than cultural ones, such as marriage pattern, roles, attitudes towards the sexual division of labor and authority in the family. One important change, however, that has taken place in the Saudi family is the dynamic of the marital relationship. Whereas traditionally this relationship was characterized by the exaggerated respect wives were expected to show their husbands in their daily interactions, nowadays a mutual respect and understanding is increasingly evident in the relationship.

It is important to note that women'S attitudes towards equality between the sexes tend to be more progressive than those of men. Moreover, different expectations have caused role conflict in the family and an increase in the divorce rate.

Though men have lost some of their social and religious authority in the family, their economic and general authority remains intact. The Saudi family is a male-dominated institution with the important decisions still being made by men. Cultural norms, civil rules, juridical legislations, support men'S authority in the family and society.