The Role of Women in forming the Saudi National Identity: Government Reforms (Essay Sample)

 The Role of Women in forming the Saudi National Identity: Government Reforms
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The Role of Women in forming the Saudi National Identity: Government Reforms
Introduction
Identity refers to a definition of oneself. It is an understanding of one's position in both psychological and physical terms. However, the definition of national identity is somewhat different. It is better explained using the terms of continuity over time and differentiation from others. Therefore, the character of a nation is highly dependent on its history as well as what differentiates it from other countries. It is also important to note that national identity consists of the people, their character, and their culture. Therefore, not a single segment or fraction of the population can be left out when defining national culture. In support of this, this paper seeks to evaluate ways to which women have contributed to the Saudi national culture. In an attempt to accomplish the task, the paper will discuss the progress of women's position in the Saudi society. Government reforms have significantly contributed to the evolution of gender roles in business, social life, as well as, the political arena. Therefore, some of these reforms will be subject to discussion. The paper will also seek to define the existent room for improvement of the reforms in future.
Discussion
The Saudi traditional Islamic way of life, like many other countries, has been a source of controversy over the years. The difference in gender role has been a point of contention between the traditionalists and human right activists and feminists. The role of women in the society was considered disturbingly discriminatory by major human rights organizations. Constrains regarding how they dress and women’s rights to independence from their male counterparts has been of concern over the years. Though challenging, the fight to improve the quality of life for women through empowering them has continued to bear fruit over in recent times.[ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"Ux1vZuoE","properties":{"formattedCitation":"Ibid.","plainCitation":"Ibid."},"citationItems":[{"id":221,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/3055054/items/I9E8GE36"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/3055054/items/I9E8GE36"],"itemData":{"id":221,"type":"book","title":"The Identity of Nations","publisher":"John Wiley & Sons","number-of-pages":"227","source":"Google Books","abstract":"What is national identity? What are the main challenges posed to national identity by the strengthening of regional identities and the growth of cultural diversity? How is right-wing nationalism connected to the desire to preserve a traditional image of national identity? Can we forge a new kind of national identity that responds to the challenges of globalization and other deep-seated changes? In this important new book, Montserrat Guibernau answers these and other compelling questions about the future of national identity. For Guibernau, the nation-states traditional project to unify its otherwise diverse population by generating a shared sense of national identity among them was always contested, and was accomplished with various degrees of success in Europe and North America. Such processes involved the cultural and linguistic homogenization of an otherwise diverse citizenry and were pursued by different means according to the specific contexts within which they were applied. At present, the impact of strong structural socio-political and economic transformations has resulted in greater challenges being posed to the idea that all citizens of a state should share a homogeneous national identity. Diversity is increasing, and plans for further European integration contain the potential to generate significant tensions, casting greater doubt on the classical concept of national identity. As a result, we are faced with a set of new dilemmas concerning the way in which national identity is constructed and defined. The book offers a theoretical as well as a comparative approach, with case studies involving Austria, Britain, Canada and Spain, as well as the European Union and the United States of America. The Identity of Nations will be essential reading for advanced students and professional scholars in sociology, politics and international relations.","ISBN":"978-0-7456-5715-8","note":"Google-Books-ID: eJgzOX3ELRsC","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Guibernau","given":"Montserrat"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2013",4,25]]}},"locator":"1923","label":"page"}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} Montserrat Guibernau, The Identity of Nations (John Wiley & Sons, 2013), 1923] [ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"piGdZs9A","properties":{"formattedCitation":"{\\rtf Catherine Broberg, {\\i{}Saudi Arabia in Pictures} (Twenty-First Century Books, 2003), 52\\uc0\\u8211{}53.}","plainCitation":"Catherine Broberg, Saudi Arabia in Pictures (Twenty-First Century Books, 2003), 52–53."},"citationItems":[{"id":223,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/3055054/items/Q66GKZR3"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/3055054/items/Q66GKZR3"],"itemData":{"id":223,"type":"book","title":"Saudi Arabia in Pictures","publisher":"Twenty-First Century Books","number-of-pages":"88","source":"Google Books","abstract":"The new, completely revised and redesigned 2nd edition of the highly acclaimed Visual Geography Series reveals the history and government, economy, people, geography, and cultural life of countries from around the world. With comprehensive text, beautiful, crisp photography, intriguing sidebars, and up-to-date resources including downloadable photos and maps at , these colorful editions take a look at how key events helped to shape various nations. Perfect for reports, finding fast facts, and geography buffs, the Visual Geography Series takes readers on a fascinating trip around the world (passport not included). Supports the national curriculum standards Culture; Time, Continuity, and Change; People, Places, and Environments; Individual Development and Identity; Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; Power, Authority, and Governance; Production, Distribution, and Consumption; Science Technology and Society; and Global Connections as outlined by the National Council for the Social Studies.","ISBN":"978-0-8225-1958-4","note":"Google-Books-ID: q7fCQbtUbh8C","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Broberg","given":"Catherine"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2003"]]}},"locator":"52-53","label":"page"}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} Catherine Broberg, Saudi Arabia in Pictures (Twenty-First Century Books, 2003), 52–53.]
It is evident that the times have changed and Saudi has changed accordingly. Women have gradually attained respectable positions and roles that were previously unreachable. For instance, free education has now offered opportunities to countless women in the kingdom. The Kingdom spends 7% of its Gross National Product on education alone. Further, women are now eligible for jobs within the various sectors of the economy. The independence of women in Saudi has become a reality as a result of joint efforts both by the activists and the government. One of the most important ways through which great strides have been made is creation of awareness among the people. Saudi citizens now have information on the right of gender equality and gender influence. Therefore, awareness has led to the growing fight for the rights of Saudi women. Contrary to previous years, time has come when women need to be more independent and in control of their affairs.[ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"G3DH7Xlg","properties":{"formattedCitation":"{\\rtf Anthony H. Cordesman, {\\i{}Saudi Arabia Enters the Twenty-First Century} (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003), 177.}","plainCitation":"Anthony H. Cordesman, Saudi Arabia Enters the Twenty-First Century (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003), 177."},"citationItems":[{"id":227,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/3055054/items/VBMNR7FI"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/3055054/items/VBMNR7FI"],"itemData":{"id":227,"type":"book","title":"Saudi Arabia Enters the Twenty-First Century","publisher":"Greenwood Publishing Group","number-of-pages":"618","source":"Google Books","abstract":"With the eyes of the world carefully monitoring tensions in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has increasingly found itself at the center of political scrutiny in its internal and external relations. With its military capabilities largely dependent upon the United States and other Western forces, Saudi Arabia cannot concentrate on internal change at the expense of external security. At the same time, growing uncertainties in the world energy market continue to have an impact upon nearly every facet of the Saudi economy. With King Fahd's health in question, and Crown Prince Abdullah already in his mid-seventies, the world ponders how future changes in the regime will affect the delicate balance in the region. This study looks beyond a narrow definition of political stability to examine the implications of the changes in Saudi external relations with Iran and Iraq, as well as cooperation with the other Southern Gulf States. It explores the succession issue in the Royal Family, the immediate political probabilities, and the generational changes that are occurring. Saudi Arabia faces ongoing demographic problems, as well as the need to diversify and restructure its economy. The Kingdom must find a way to adapt its traditional culture, religious customs, education, and political structure to the needs of a modern nation. Such change will come neither quickly nor easily.","ISBN":"978-0-275-98091-7","note":"Google-Books-ID: tjpExwQWtOsC","language":"en","author":[{"family":"Cordesman","given":"Anthony H."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2003",4]]}}...