Alyssa TeegardenMiddle Eastern FamilyFamilyFamilies in the
Middle East are your typical Old-Fashioned values people. The men
are the leaders and providers for the family. They work hard and
long to earn a living to support their wives and children. The
women run the household, making sure the children are fed and the
house is tidy for when their husbands return. Marriages are
arranged and are based solely on financial security, social status,
and child-bearing potentials rather than on love and romance.A
successful marriage is one that produces many children, for a
marriage is not complete without them in societys eyes. Family
ContBoys are taught at an early age how to make a living for the
future and are taught by the neighborhood male figures as well as
their fathers and grand-fathers. Girls are taught at home, learning
how to cook, clean, and watch over babies. Like boys, the girls are
taught by neighborhood figures, such as mothers, aunts,
grand-mothers, etc..Honor is also a huge role in ones family life.
The reputation of any family member influences the reputation of
the entire family. However, women who bring dishonor to their
families because of presumed sexual indiscretions are forced to pay
a terrible price at the hands of male family members. The problem
of Honor Killings" throughout the Middle East is manifested in the
legal safeguards protecting men by granting them special legal
exemptions and reduced sentences in cases of conviction.
UN InvolvementThe primary activities of the Focal Point on the
Family are to: Provide substantial services in the areas of family
and family policy to United Nations intergovernmental bodies,
particularly the General Assembly, Commission for Social
Development and the Economic and Social Council.Promote the
realization of the objectives of the International Year of the
Family.Promote the integration of a family perspective into
policy-making at the national, regional and international
levels.Exchange expertise and experiences, disseminate information
and support networking on family issues.Support family research and
diagnostic studies.Encourage and support coordination on family
policies and programmes within national governments and within the
United Nations system.Provide technical assistance and
capacity-building support to developing country governments, at
their request, in the area of the family.Liaise and dialogue with
Governments, Civil Society and the private sector on family issues.
Resolving IssuesI think there is hope for the Middle Eastern family
life, just by looking at all of the information I have read. The
woman there are starting to mirror women all around the world. They
are starting to get out into the work force, marry later in life,
and bear maybe one or two children. Although these changes are
occurring, their will still be families that stick to tradition and
marry their daughters off at an early age, only to start her own
family with her arranged husband.
