Abstract
Using evidence from 72 young Emirati women experiences who have participated in a series of eleven focus groups, this study rethinks and extends traditional sociological concepts and classifications. This research propose the concept of combined family to show a unique pattern of family relationships and economic participation that exists in some areas of UAE that combines the wealthiest and modernized appearances with the oldest traditions. The results show social determinism versus economic determinism since participants' families have independent access to the economic assets, but they prefer to be around parents and brothers. The concept of circumstantial expectations is proposed to extend the notion of social exchange theory that family members are engaging in exchanges with no future or immediate expectations of returns. Because the concept of bonding social capital did not give a full understanding of the social dynamics in the sociocultural context of UAE, it is extended to include two sub-concepts; exclusive social capital and internal-kin social capital. Key words: Women experiences, Emirati women, Emirate family, family forms.
Highlights
In the last three decades, UAE society has witnessed profound changes in its cultural and social systems which enabled Emirati women to be more educated and participant in the workplace and the public sphere
Social research about UAE has consecrated the false perception that all Emirates witnessed rapid changes and moved toward modernization. This is true, but there are a deep differentiations between Emirates and the sub-areas in each Emirate, for example, in the central region of Sharjah Emirate which is the population of this study, these changes didn’t give women their full freedom and independency in many
The printouts of the transcripts were reviewed by the author and assistants to ensure the accuracy of analysis compared with the voices of the participants. This theme includes participant's perceptions about secured living they obtain from being among the combined family members (Table 1)
Summary
In the last three decades, UAE society has witnessed profound changes in its cultural and social systems which enabled Emirati women to be more educated and participant in the workplace and the public sphere. It would not be an exaggeration to say that women are experiencing an unrivalled golden age, at least in terms of acquiring the human rights that guarantee their dignity (Al Oraimi, 2013). Social research about UAE has consecrated the false perception that all Emirates witnessed rapid changes and moved toward modernization. This is true, but there are a deep differentiations between Emirates and the sub-areas in each Emirate, for example, in the central region of Sharjah Emirate which is the population of this study, these changes didn’t give women their full freedom and independency in many.
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