What one notices in schoolbooks is that whatever writer is explaining the characteristics of Arabs concentrates only on favorable traits and the most creditable qualities. Arabs have long been famous for their inaction and aversion to work. Since childhood, we have read in our classes that the Arab is known for his intelligence, generosity, loyalty, courage and integrity — but what about the love of work? This trait is scarcely mentioned in lists by Arabs of what traits they are proud of.
The question naturally arises as to whether Arabs simply do not like to work. In this day and age it is quickly evident that most people look upon work as a duty they are forced to carry out in order to ensure a living for themselves and their families. And most people do not hesitate to say that if they could find a way of providing a livelihood without working, they would seize it and do no work at all. To them, work has only one objective and that is to earn a living for themselves and their families. And whenever that can be guaranteed, the need to work is thus eliminated.
Perhaps this explains what some people mean by saying that a woman does not need to work since it is the man’s duty to provide for the family. The woman has only to help the man so that he can earn a living for himself and his family. She should clean the house, prepare the meals, wash the clothes and look after the children — all for free and voluntarily. And because it is voluntary, she earns no salary for what she does because in the eyes of the public, this state of affairs is normal. It is viewed as less vital than a man’s job and yet he is paid. People take it for granted that whatever a man does, no matter how trivial, is more important and more significant than what the woman does. The rationale is apparently that the man earns money which is then spent on making the family’s life easier. Vital as the woman’s contribution is, it is not valued in the same way since she earns no money for doing it.
In other words, most people evaluate work depending on what it brings in terms of money; other than that, it matters little to them.
Scientific, industrial, intellectual or cultural developments do not concern them as much as economic development. And despite economic development’s being inextricably linked with those other areas, people choose to overlook the connection. In addition, they expect financial increases to occur without any effort at improving productivity, prolonging working hours, increasing the work force or anything else that is related to economic development.
A community can develop only if all its members, male and female, are able to work and participate in building it. This increases production and provides greater opportunities for all talents and skills whether they are present in men or women. Perhaps we are about to enter upon a more enlightened future with the opening up to women of greater employment fields in our society.
