Meaning and Ideas Towards Marriage from Saudi Arabian College Students

Abstract

This study aims to show the views on marriage in Saudi Arabia, from the perspective of young Saudi Arabian males that have moved away from home to attend college in the United States. Several aspects will be covered, such as: Muslim traditions, freedoms in American culture, the importance of marriage, family ties, class status, and refraining from divorce. These features will serve as influential to the views and ideas expressed by the young men. The research is based on data collected from an ethnography I carried out in the Fall of 2011. The group is composed of 6 Saudi Arabians. Five of them lived in Tampa, Florida, one lived in Tucson, Arizona. The participants had been living in the U.S. for 8 months to 2 years. My general focus lies on how newly acquired freedoms for the young Saudi Arabians influence their views on marriage. I carry out research that has not been done before, basing the majority of my data on the young participants. This study sheds much light on major components of lslamic marriage ideas, values, and traditions.