Md Mizanur Rahman

Ahmed Aref

This open access handbook combines multiple theoretical and practical approaches for enabling a nuanced understanding of the phenomenon of marriage in the Arab world. Adopting a holistic, interdisciplinary approach, it provides a framework for the contextual and macro factors surrounding and affecting marriage in the Arab countries. It looks at the different types of marriage, whether traditional or new to the Arab world, and takes a detailed examination of the dialectic of marriage and age. It considers the dynamics surrounding delayed marriages, early marriages, celibacy, marriage costs, and age gaps between spouses. In addition, it examines marital relations vis-à-vis a diverse array of sub-topics, including marital and emotional satisfaction, and violence. It also looks at the relationship between work and marriage, and explores how ‘women’s work’ affects their family relationships and intimacy. Finally, it offers a rich analysis of two core marriage-related issues in the modern Arab world: migration and its positive/negative impacts on the institution of marriage, and marriage in the context of war and conflict, as present in several areas within the Arab region. A sociological magnum opus for social science students and researchers in areas of marriage studies, gender studies, family studies, the sociology of work, peace and conflict studies, human migration, and economics, it is also relevant to policymakers, politicians, social workers, and human rights and migration activists working in the Arab world and beyond.

The Handbook of Marriage in the Arab World

Amr Al-Azm

This open access book, comprising thirty-nine chapters divided into social, cultural, economic, and political spheres, offers a unique opportunity to dive into the complex, dynamic, and sometimes contradictory transformation of Gulf societies in the last few decades. Whilst the Gulf region has at times been seen as impervious to this natural phenomenon of transformation—timeless, never changing, deeply rooted in its ancient tribal customs and traditions and able to blend past and present seamlessly without suffering the wrenching trauma of change—this is clearly not the case, and the region is not immune to the inevitable forces of social change. There is no doubt today that the social change sweeping the Gulf has been profound, affecting almost every aspect of life in the Gulf societies. This volume has an encyclopedic value as the chapters collectively offer multifaceted and multidisciplinary perspectives to understand social change in the Gulf region. Through these chapters, the role of economic and educational transformation, and the impact of social media, migration, and urbanization have in driving social change in the Gulf societies is examined in detail with a focus on their directions, magnitudes, and relevant policy options. It also considers how COVID-19 is affecting the lives of the people in the Gulf. This book bridges gaps in the understanding of the rapid pace of social change in the Gulf, offering practical solutions for policy interventions. It is of interest to scholars and students in Middle Eastern studies, specifically, as well as sociology, media studies, migration studies, and educational policy.

Multidisciplinary Perspectives

Social Change in the Gulf Region

Mahjoob Zweiri

Arwa Kamal

This book provides an overview of the origins, repercussions and projected future of the ongoing Gulf crisis, as well as an analysis of the major issues and debates relating to it. The Gulf region witnessed an extraordinary rift when, on 5 June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut all diplomatic ties and imposed a siege on the State of Qatar following the hacking of the Qatar News Agency website. This book approaches the Gulf crisis from an interdisciplinary perspective by bringing together a group of top scholars from a wide range of disciplines and areas of expertise to engage in a nuanced debate on the current crisis. With the pressing role of media in general and social media in particular, new political realities have been created in the region. The book addresses the role that cyber and information security play on politics, as well as the shift of alliances in the region as a result of the crisis. It scrutinizes the role of media and information technology in creating political cultures as well as conflicts. The book also explores the long-term economic implications of the siege imposed on Qatar and identifies how the country's economy is adjusting to the impact of the siege. Thus, the book considers the extent of social and economic changes that the crisis has brought to the region. This book invites in-depth understanding of the regional crisis and its implications on nation building and the reconfiguration of political and economic alliances across the region. It will appeal to a broad interdisciplinary readership in the area of Gulf studies.

Md Mizanur Rahman

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