Arab Culture & Infertility

Women's Corner

Arab Culture & Infertility

RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND AND ITS IMPACT ON THE REACTION TO MALE INFERTILITY IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES

Introduction

Traditionally in the Arab countries the male is considered the stronger and the wiser gender. Females are supposed to follow. However, females are appreciated for their role in the family; keeping it stable and taking care of its members. The wife is responsible for the social activities and to maintain strong family ties with the greater family (parents-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, …etc.). She is considered the Boss in her home as regards the internal affairs. The husband is considered the decision maker in the economic and to a limited degree some external relationships. The wife shares in some of these decisions together with the husband but usually through him. Some wives are manipulative in this respect and thus maintain their power indirectly in this relationship. Husbands may in some instances appreciate this role. The wife is highly respected in her home for the duties she makes. Recently in the last 5 or 6 decades, the women started to take increasing role in the community. They are joining the work force at increasing rates In Egypt it is estimated that women participate in about 30% of the elicited economic activities. This sums up to about 7 million females in different activities; services, trade .. etc.
Islam has appreciate the female immensely. The right to accept the husband, the right to be treated right during marriage, the right to be divorced if she is abused to any extent during the marital relationship (incl. Not accepting her quality of life with the husband), clear orders for the husband to appreciate and respect his wife, avoid abuse and to grant her divorce whenever she hate to live with him and after the families fail to get things right between them. The husband is entitled to have 4 wives simultaneously. This is not without limitations as Islam does not encourage that. Rules are that the first wife accepts this marriage and only if the first wife is hopelessly sterile or is fatally sick. The most important thing is that the husband should continue to support the first wife and her/his children in a comfortable home and continues to pay the home and school expenses all through.

2000 جميع حقوق الطبع والنشر محفوظة للدكتور عبد المجيد رمزي لعام