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Arab Attitudes Toward Gender Roles: From Homogeneous Stereotype to Heterogeneous Reality
Basem Al Atom
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DOI:10.17265/2159-5526/2015.03.005
Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan
Western society has historically perceived Arab attitudes toward gender roles in a stereotypically negative light. This perception has had great influence on international public opinion toward Arab treatment of women, Western foreign policy toward the Arab world and development aid programs in the Middle East. This paper seeks to question the legitimacy of this perception by advancing the hypothesis that Arab attitudes toward gender roles are heterogeneous rather than homogeneous. To do so, it uses cross-cultural analysis in examining survey data regarding women’s status in the Arab world, the significance of which contributes to a more accurate and well-rounded understanding of Arab attitudes toward gender roles. Results confirm the hypothesis that Arab attitudes toward gender roles are heterogeneous rather than homogeneous. Indeed, contrary to the Western stereotype regarding Arab attitudes toward gender roles and Arab treatment of women, cross-cultural analysis of the statistical information provided showed that Arab societies differ from one another in their attitudes toward gender roles and that Arab states differ from one another in their governmental approaches to gender equality in terms of personal status laws, gender-based discrimination in the workplace, and overall policies aimed at the advancement of women.
Sociology, gender roles, Western stereotypes, Arab attitudes, status of women
Sociology Study, March 2015, Vol. 5, No. 3, 213-222
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