Families and Social Change in the Gulf Region

This timely volume explores the impact of dramatic social change that has disrupted established patterns of family life and human development in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It addresses several major deficits in knowledge regarding family issues in the Gulf countries, bringing a critical perspective to the emerging challenges facing families in this region. Lansford, Ben Brik, and Badahdah examine the role of urbanization, educational progress, emigration, globalization, and changes in the status of women on social change, as well as tackling issues related to marriage, fertility and parenthood, and family well-being. This book explores how family relationships and social policies can promote physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, safety, cognitive development, and economic security in the Gulf countries, placing a unique emphasis on contemporary families in this region. Families and Social Change in the Gulf Region is essential reading for scholars from psychology, sociology, education, law, and public policy. It will also be of interest to graduate students in these disciplines.

In a nascent niche as Gulf Family Studies, this book is a trifecta: it fills a gap, has purpose and serves social policies. Touching on overlooked aspects of the region, specifically the multi-functions of the GCC family, the book delves into a plethora of critical considerations: traditional to transnational households, changes to child rearing and domestic help, youth, power sharing, and female work. Almost uniquely exposed to complex intersect between state and social-public life the intimate complications of Gulf homes are impressively articulated. This manuscript serves as a much-needed contextual grab on the contemporary understanding of the region and its private sphere.Rima Sabban, Associate Professor, Zayed University

Jennifer E. Lansford is Research Professor at the Duke University Center for Child and Family Policy in Durham, NC, USA. Her research focuses on parenting and child development in diverse cultural contexts. She has consulted with international agencies, such as UNICEF, on parenting programs and child well-being around the world.Anis Ben Brik is Associate Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Public Policy, Qatar. His research focuses on welfare systems, policy evaluation, family policy, child welfare, social protection, and sustainable development in the MENA region. He has advised numerous public entities and international agencies on social issues.Abdallah M. Badahdah is Associate Professor of Sociology at South Dakota State University, USA. He previously was the Director of Family Research at Doha International Family Institute in Qatar and the chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Qatar University. His research focuses on families, gender, health, and parenting.