Dubai: The majority of Emirati youth are adept at balancing modernity and traditional values, sociologists told Gulf News.
Dr Rima Sabban, assistant professor of sociology at Zayed University, who conducted research on the influence of modernity on traditional values in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) communities, said countries that are growing faster have higher concerns about losing the traditional touch.
“The study found that the faster a GCC country was growing the more the worry about losing traditional values and culture, even among youth, because the issue becomes more pressing,” Dr Rima said.
For example, countries growing at a slow pace, like Oman, welcomed modernity but countries growing at a fast pace were concerned about losing some of their traditional values.
Dr Rima pointed out the difference between European modernity, which is more intellectual, and modernity in the Arab world, which is more related to lifestyle. “European modernity shifted mindsets and created an intellectual revolution, while our modernity is more related to lifestyle than intellectual change.”
Dr Rima observed that more the Arabs adopt modernity and change, the more they try to hold on to their roots. Arab modernity is also more on the surface as it is challenged by religious movements.
When it comes to the UAE, Dr Rima found that the majority of youth are trying to balance between modernity and so far succeeding in doing so. “The majority are adaptive and balanced by their families. Emirati families are moving towards modernity at their own pace, taking what they want and leaving modern values that they don’t want.”
The professor added that the system created in the UAE allows people to co-exist and balance through modernity. It is about saying ‘I am modern, I use the latest technology and follow trends, but I respect elders and I meet up with my family every Friday’,” she said.
“The youth are growing to know that they have different layers between modernity and traditions. The whole system, which is encouraged by the Rulers, is to find balance and the beauty of it is that it is respected by the public.”
Country first
Dr Rima said there is a general understanding that so long that the change and modernity is for the betterment of their country, it is accepted.
“Even those creative people who might dress and act differently are accepted as long as they are producing something that is good. However, change for the sake of being a rebel is not.”
Dr Meenaz Kassam, another professor of sociology from the American University of Sharjah, who also conducted a focus group on Arab youth, found that Emiratis have found a balance between modernity and tradition.
The study conducted by Dr Meenaz and Professor Yuting Wang, assistant professor of sociology at the university, found that Emirati students represent an intriguing mix of tradition and modernity.
No conflict
An excerpt from the research is revealing.
It reads: “The old is not necessarily replaced by the new as old and new forms are not in conflict. Tradition and modernity are not mutually exclusive. Modernisation can be uniquely Emirati — a new form of modernisation that embraces traits of modernisation that are intertwined with Emirati culture.”
The study was conducted on 550 students at the university regarding values on love, marriage and the family. Of these students about 20 per cent were Emirati.
The study also found that women in the UAE are changing. It observed: “She is modern in that she embraces technology and education and is able to think for herself — yet she is dressed traditionally and is gracious in prioritising her family, religion and culture.
“They have somehow managed to find the balance despite challenges like being surrounded by expatriate values. It is because being Emirati is considered special in the UAE, they favor holding on to their traditions and values.”
Dr Meenaz said the youth are especially keen on looking Emirati.
“Even my Emirati stud-ents who studied abroad and speak English better than Arabic prefer to dress Emirati, very few choose to wear western clothes.”
The professor said the leadership, which urges its youth to hold on to their traditional values, also have a big influence. Family and friends also have a huge influence.
