Exercise 2 (world view)

Exercise 2 (world view)

PART A

ANSWER 1 - THE CONFLICT

The basic conflict discussed in the article is that Emirati women, despite the tremendous economic gains of the country, have still not started playing their important role in the economic growth and development. They are stopped by families, customs, and traditions to join mainstream work and are restricted either to the confines of their homes or allowed only to join such fields as education where there is a clear segregation between men and women.

 

BASIS/CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM

Women from all social strata in the UAE wish to work and be an important part in the economic growth of the country. However, it is evident that the mind-set of the general Emirati men has not yet changed. Thus they do not allow their sisters or wives to enter in a field where they have to work shoulder to shoulder with men. Despite all encouragement, women participation remains low although it is growing at a very slow rate. In spite of new employment opportunities, most women opt for marriage and raising children. UAE society places a high value on those roles. Conservative cultural attitudes lead women to seek jobs that do not involve mixing with men or commuting far from home. Subsequently, most women are employed in education, health, and civil service.

ANSWER 2 - CULTURAL VIEWS BEHIND THE CONFLICT

The conservative culture that flows from the tribal background has been the main cause of conflict. Women still are expected to stay at home only to take care of the house and children. In conservative Arab households, where patriarchal values still reign, it is difficult for women to convince the men in the family that their working in organisations will not just bring in money, but will also develop their personalities and help them play an important role in development of the Emirati society. Emirati culture also supports big households and joint families (Bristol-Rhys, 2010). Large families are encouraged by the state as a national policy, and family size is six to eight children. With the changing times and increasing education and awareness among the women, the husband's authority in household affairs is declining, while the wife is gaining importance as a mother and the manager of the domestic unit (Bristol-Rhys, 2010). However, women still have not gained enough power to decide for themselves and their careers and mostly are left only managing their households and keeping away from mainstream jobs.

One major issue behind this conflict is that traditionally Arab culture promotes segregation. Thus men do not freely mingle with women even at social gatherings such as weddings. Thus it is not considered good that women work in the same area where men are present and have frequent interactions with their male colleagues. Thus, this mind-set is the root cause that makes men and heads of the families to stop the women in their families from going out and work.

ANSWER 3 - SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT

The relaxing of social restrictions on female employment and the fact that work is increasingly being seen not merely as a source of income but as establishing personal identity have also played a role in female empowerment. Moreover, there is no doubt that inspiring female role models in all walks of life (doctors, architects, engineers, pilots, artists, explorers, skydivers) are multiplying rapidly in the UAE, encouraging women to break away from traditional areas of employment. The status of Emirati women in the workforce has witnessed a significant raise and they are now taking part in the economic development of the country as well. However, while their advancement to managerial positions is fairly acceptable in accordance with the rate of their economic participation in the government sector, Emirati women's presence in the private sector remains low in both executive and managerial positions.

Many women have joined the work and businesses and some have even shown their entrepreneurial abilities by starting their own business and taking it to success. Although, these women are less in number, the Emirati women who wish to work, can give their examples to their families and convince them showing them that women can work alongside men and still maintain their dignity. This will be a slow process but as more women come in the jobs, this mind set will eventually change. Emirati women need to be patient and keep on persevering, till they succeed.