Social estrangement

Sometimes, I feel that as a society we suffer from a state of “social alienation” for reasons that are at times clear, at times in need of thorough study and at times dangerously obscure.

Starting a family and getting married is a matter of worry for the youth, regardless of gender. Furthermore, the relationship between the two genders is something that has become very dire.

Some of our young men and women are beginning to consider characters from Turkish, Arab and Western soaps as benchmarks measuring what their ideal partners should be like. There is also a danger in the dramatic message that these soaps — which are either made to gain money or conjure an idealistic image of the societies they portray — subconsciously present to their audiences. American dramas give prominence to American characters, who — through media exposure — have now become internationally respected. Accepting ideas subconsciously without noticing the dangerous negativities of those ideas makes us easy prey to other cultures.

Relationships between men and women have become dire in such a way that, for example, wives reply to their husbands with supplications beseeching God to make them sick. The breakdown of relationships between husbands and wives is the responsibility of both concerned parties; this may be according to varying degrees.

When marriages sour, husbands and wives look for the other’s mistakes when they should instead be looking for a way of improving their relationship, something that would not only benefit them but wider society. Nowadays, some wives even hold parties celebrating their divorce. Even if a divorce is a disengagement from a miserable life, should it be a cause for celebration? Another important question is this: What sort of alienation will those sons and daughters of ours studying abroad suffer when they return home? If we, who are living at home, have been influenced by other cultures through our satellite channels and electronic media, how much will our sons and daughters who have actually lived in developed societies be influenced? How will they accept the Kingdom’s social norms and traditions, which undermine personal opinion and freedom? How will they accept marrying a prospective partner on only their parents’ recommendations?

Comments

MOHD

Report abuse
You are living in a modern world and changes are meant to happen. If you cant live with it, then go back to the mountain and live the life you would want to have. World is changing so the characters of the people either by nature or influence or both. People are learning the modern way and no one if ever there is, just a few wants to live with the old ways. Changes are meant to improve the lives of the people. Some may go astray in handling and adopting the new changes but majority managed them modestly. Expect some cultures and traditions can be overshadowed by modern changes in our lives. Even the government are gradually implementing changes which are helpful to improve the lives of the society. These are inevitable and you cant do anything about it. You just have to take it positively. Saterllite channels have nothing to do with our cultures and traditions, it is all up to you to handle it. Channels are there for merely entertainment and business on their part. They are not meant to change what you believe in. it is up to you to grasp their language and meaning.....not literally....

LAURA OF ARABIA

Report abuse
Travelling overseas can be beneficial. Films and satelitte TV perpetuate myths and fail to present the reality of life abroad. Inside the Kingdom, young people only see the parties and good times. They don't learn that along with freedom comes responsibility. If youth in America want a car, they have to go to work. They don't just ask their parents for money. Saudi society provides security and protection, but doesn't give kids much opportunity for personal choice. Western society gives a lot of opportunities for personal choice, but offers little in the way of security.

SARAH H AIJAZ

Report abuse
I never managed to read this before, but maybe that's because God wanted to keep me specially away from this vortex of cockamamie to salvage my soul. I know Saudi Arabia has social issues that mostly arise due to the clash of modernization and the some of the ridiculously backward elements of culture that creates a dinosaur gender gulf that bloated blue whales will fail to occupy. What I fail to understand is the hidden sexism in this essay, or whatever you wish to call your ramblings. It's always the 'wife who wishes ill' and the 'women who celebrate their divorce', isn't it? Hell, if I was made to marry a caveman, I would celebrate my divorce. If women are doing something outrageous in a society, it always helps to understand why. Maybe men and women are so burdened by social traditions and cultural mores, that they want to rebelliously break out of it. I know of Saudi boys who shudder to think of marriage because of the undue responsibilities that are put on them. I know many Saudi women who are empty from inside because their only duty is to be vending machines for babies. And now with freedom becoming a reality in Saudi Arabia, after decades of restrictions, people are likely to go a little mad. Hey, no pain, no gain! If people are taking up ideal characters on television as role models, then (NEWSFLASH!), it's probably because they don't like reality.

ABO NAJIB

Report abuse
Being immature, you can't leave the youngsters to decide to go for marriage.See what 's happening in the west; they date for years and have sex and have kids and marry later on! It's HARRAM.I think we teach our youngsters the lesson of Islam and that is the mutual respect for each other as husband and wife.The ideal, for a Muslim, is not this world, it is to come in the hereafter.Isn't this our faith?

AISHAH SCHWARTZ

Report abuse
Way to go Sarah! Two thumbs up!
Did you note the item doesn't name an author?
Post your comment

required

required (email will never be displayed)

Please enter the following characters in the box provided (case sensitive). This helps us prevent automated programs from creating accounts and sending spam.

All comments are subject to approval

Terms and conditions

Latest comments

Tadawul rises to 21-month high

Not only that, but the turnover crossed 10 billion Saudi Riyal - first time after 2007!!! <br/

kishore nair at Feb 9, 2012 07:30

1 comments

Prince Alwaleed, Twitter CEO discuss tie-up

Almighty Allah give you power,success in all your doings,actions,tryings for The Good Work of A

oph.op.dr.nevin kuyumcu at Feb 9, 2012 07:29

1 comments

New leader calls for unity government amid turmoil in Maldives

Democratic Form of Government is becoming a 'JOKE' and 'LAUGHING <br/>STOCK' for the people al

MUBARAK ALI PATEL at Feb 9, 2012 06:10

1 comments

Graft, politics, militant Islam shake Indian Ocean island paradise

Instead of people's Power, people in Democratic Country often see <br/>Authoritiative Power/Im

MUBARAK ALI PATEL at Feb 9, 2012 06:10

1 comments

Attack on Iran 'would be disaster,' must talk-Turkey

"DESTROYING" is the key word today; whether it is "COUNTRY" or <br/>"ECONOMY" is immeterial.

MUBARAK ALI PATEL at Feb 9, 2012 06:09

3 comments