Culture Entry #1 - Chloe Thomas

     Contrary to America, most extended families in the Arab world live together. Aunts, uncles, grandparents and other elders all take part in raising the children. On the other hand, families who reside in more urban areas are more likely consist of just the parents and the children. However, they still share very close ties with the extended family and the extended family still helps to raise the children. Women are more in charge of household and family affairs than the men. Women are responsible for the discipline of the children. Female cousins and older sisters are expected to help out as well, taking out time to play with and care for the younger children. Once the children begin to get older, they will start spending more time with their father and the other men in the family. At an early age, children are taught to obey and respect their elders. They are also taught that family issues are private and should not be spoken of outside of the household. To do so would be shameful. Because community is an important part of Arab culture, children are taught to give back to their communities and to help others in need. Parents use stories that talk about the benefits of being kind to others in order to teach their children to be helpful. Most families in the urban areas value education and enroll their kids in regular schooling and/or private tutors. While families in rural areas also value education, they tend to be poorer than those in urban areas and so they do not always have the resources to educate their children. Their children, however, still learn how to work on the land and learn instructional crafts. They also attend religious studies in the mosques. Arab culture emphasizes science and the arts and families also tend to teach their children music, painting, poetry and traditional dance.

Sources:  

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/customs-traditions-relate-childrearing-arab-culture-2793.html