Tribune News Network
Doha
The Ibn Khaldon Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences at Qatar University (QU) has presented a comprehensive study on the Qatari family’s structure and functions.
The study, authored by research assistant Afrah Al Otaibi, delves into the intricate balance Qatari families maintain between deep-rooted traditions and the evolving demands of modernity, influenced heavily by globalisation and Western ideologies.
The study, titled ‘Qatari Family’s Structure and Functions: Balance between Tradition and Modernity’, aims to answer a central question: Does the Qatari family represent a traditional or modern intellectual model? This investigation addresses several sub-questions, including the structure and elements of the Qatari family, its functions, the roles of its members and prevailing behaviours and traditions.
In the face of global transformations and significant events such as globalisation and pandemics, Qatari society, like other Arab societies, is experiencing profound impacts.
The choices imposed by soft foreign policies and the interference of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) dealing with sensitive issues such as family, women, education and religion add further complexity to these challenges. Amidst these changes, the Qatari family system finds itself at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, striving to maintain a balance between deeply rooted Arab traditions and Islamic values, as well as the modern influences brought about by globalisation and openness to universal values, particularly those of a Western, capitalistic, liberal and materialistic nature.
The research builds on previous studies that have tracked the evolution of the Qatari family over decades. Notably, Juhayina Al-Issa’s 1982 study highlighted the transition towards a nuclear family structure following the discovery of oil while maintaining a patriarchal system.
Amina Al-Kazem’s 1993 study further revealed that education and employment among women introduced new values and lifestyle changes, such as economic independence and altered social roles. Fatima Al-Kubaisi’s 2017 study pointed out that despite these changes, traditional responsibilities largely persisted, with emerging signs of partnership in family financial responsibilities.
Employing a quantitative approach, the research team distributed a questionnaire to 240 Qatari citizens, covering topics such as family structure, functions and members’ behaviours. Using a Five-Point Likert scale, the data was analysed using SPSS, revealing insights into the traditional and modern perceptions of the Qatari family.
The study identified three distinct intellectual phases within the Qatari family.
Firstly, the Qatari family continues to uphold religious and cultural traditions, such as regular prayers, wearing national costumes and sharing family meals. Women primarily focus on childrearing, while fathers are the main decision-makers.
Secondly, some aspects of family life are in a state of flux, such as the shift towards nuclear families, women’s financial contributions and multilingual communication within families. Thirdly, new trends include acceptance of marriages outside the tribe, the involvement of fathers in childrearing and a preference for luxurious lifestyles.
The study also highlighted gender differences in perceptions of marriage and family, with a higher percentage of males viewing these as important life goals compared to females, possibly influenced by the spread of feminist ideas.
The research team proposes several recommendations to support and preserve the Arab family structure. Encouraging marriage and promoting the importance of family formation among youth is essential as a fundamental social unit.
Enhancing the family’s role in pedagogy and value consolidation among young people is crucial. Integrating family value reinforcement into school and university curricula to promote family ethics and communication is recommended. Conducting periodic studies every five years to monitor ongoing transformations in family perceptions will be beneficial.
Strengthening the family through religious programmes and initiatives by religious institutions will help preserve core values. Addressing the encroachment of foreign languages and ensuring the continued use of Arabic within families is necessary to maintain cultural continuity.
This comprehensive study sheds light on the evolving dynamics of the Qatari family, emphasising the need for a balanced approach that respects traditional values while embracing beneficial aspects of modernity. By understanding these transformations, Qatar can develop informed strategies to support and strengthen the family as a cornerstone of its social structure.
