For what the future holds, look at the youth.
Comment: The direction of a new generation in Saudi Arabia
Well-informed political anthropologists studying Saudi Arabia have resolved that a younger generation is likely to lead the Kingdom and the Gulf region into a truly "conservative" direction. Are many young Saudis conscious of their putative political power? Do they stand for change and, in the affirmative, what kind? What can Riyadh do to accommodate it?
In 2004, one out of every two Saudis is less than 15, and an estimated 60 per cent of the population is less than 20 years old. Available statistical data point to the undeniable fact that most reach the labour age unqualified to hold increasingly technical positions. For social reasons, some refuse to engage in what might be classified as "menial" assignments, further enlarging the ranks of six million expatriate workers. In reality, barely 2 per cent of Saudi University (and/or technical institution) graduates are fully qualified to assume demanding posts. An estimated 50 per cent drop out of primary school that severely limits the available recruitment pool for businesses.
Family crises abound
Although young Saudis are urbanised and better educated than most folks in the developing world, their overall preparation is not adequate to function in a modernising society. Family crises abound. Marriage problems with high divorce rates, drug use, suicide and a variety of sexual issues are not unknown.
Equally important, and unlike their predecessors, members of this generation of Saudis have to tackle the issue of poverty, in a country that owns a quarter of world petroleum reserves.
Leading Saudi reformists acknowledge that the country's education systems need to be brought up to date. Nevertheless, invoking the necessity to alter some of these intrinsic problems, will not be sufficient to address what ails this new generation. In addition to sorely needed education updates, Saudi officials need to examine how "patriarchy," influence young males.
With rigid rules of behavior, few Saudis find the intellectual flexibility needed to grow and change. Young Saudi males are expected to add value as they grow older. Herein lies one of the more serious challenges facing the new generation. Can they have a separate identity as young men or is their value proportionate to experiences accumulated over the years? In other words, is Saudi masculinity defined with maturity, or can young Saudi males be who they are without the wisdom of time. In a patriarchic environment, where the "old" rules, young Saudis are expected to defer. Many do, since traditions are themselves highly regarded. But some do not listen nor do they obey.
Those who oppose the existing order, that is those who oppose the patriarchal system in place, are identified as opponents to authority. In fact, this "opposition" is based on a perception that one is duty bound to rebel against those who hijack religious values.
For this reason, young Saudis devote a great deal of attention to religious and moral questions, and are quite confident that they are able to do with less than the previous generation. The latter are accused of living it up by relying on oil wealth. The less charitable among them accuse established Saudis of behaving as spoiled teenagers.
Regaining the lost trust
Conversely, younger Saudis seem to have matured sooner than their years warrant, with many having so little to look forward to. Ill prepared for economic activity, they are idle for lack of solid grounding in education, prone to exaggeration when there is little left to exaggerate, and ready for recruitment by those eager to sacrifice lives for chimerical causes.
In the aftermath of the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, when Riyadh censored the news for several days before welcoming Americans to defend the Kingdom, many young Saudis felt betrayed.
Others were shocked to learn that the military hype – at huge costs to the treasury – so carefully orchestrated for years proved to be elusive. In the end, Saudis needed outside help to prevent Baghdad from occupying Hasa Province, because Riyadh could not defend the area.
Disillusioned and disenfranchised young Saudis concluded that their media did not tell them the truth. Not surprisingly, some sought more trustworthy leaders, and found solace in the religious establishment. The Al Saud's task is to regain this lost trust.
gulf-news.com
lurqer |
