What are Saudi youth doing in their summer holidays this year? As with all previous years, the time will be spent in complete leisure for the entire three months. Some will travel abroad and others will remain in the Kingdom, sleeping all day and staying up all night with friends and family. Of course, this does not apply to a small minority who prefer to spend their time pursuing hobbies and learning new skills.
What about the idea of a weekend job or the summer job for young Saudis? Their grandparents used to tell stories of how their spare time was spent working with their fathers or finding any job at any time in order to earn a little money of their own. This was in the past and has been unheard of for many years. This is not, we must admit, a healthy attitude to pass on to our children. We, as a society, should promote the idea of the importance of work among our children.
The reason that young Saudis do not work is often related to their socioeconomic status. They are brought up to assume that people who work are poor, underprivileged and in need. The Saudis feel it is important that they be able to boast that their wants are taken care of with no effort on their part. This gives them a certain kind of respect and admiration from their friends which is at the core of their self-esteem.
Nader is 17 and was asked how he planned to spend his summer holiday and what he thought about working. He answered, “Work? No way! It’s enough that I study all year; anyway I don’t need to work. My dad gives me money. I can usually have what I want. Even if I wanted to work just to pass the time, I couldn’t; it would be embarrassing. My friends would laugh at me and while I’m working they’ll be hanging out and I will be left out! Anyway, we are going to Spain this year so I will be busy.”
Nader’s father supported the idea that his son should not work. “It’s hard to explain why I do not allow my son to work, but I fear for his safety if he worked in a shop or even in a company. It is rare for teenagers to work here and someone might try to take advantage of him,” he said.
A parallel to this incorrect and destructive idea which impacts most unfavorably on both our youth and economy, employers do not want to employ young Saudis in their companies and shops. The young Saudis are not felt to be reliable and, in reality, this is often true. This might be changed if more vocational and training projects were developed and opened to all young people.
Seventeen-year-old Walaa told Arab News, “My parents advised me to work this summer. It occupies my time here in Riyadh since we are not going outside the Kingdom this year. I found an administrative job in a beauty salon. I have been working for three weeks and I am really enjoying it. I have some extra money to spend and get to meet people which is great.”
Part time, weekend and holiday work opportunities for young Saudis are areas that have been neglected. People should understand how critical a role this kind of employment could play in Saudization. It would be an excellent way of getting started.
