http://www.mideastyouth.com/2009/03/16/single-mothers-dreams-shattered/ Promoting a fierce but respectful dialogue among the highly diverse youth of the Middle East Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:54:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2009/03/16/single-mothers-dreams-shattered/#comment-259580 Siwash Sun, 22 Mar 2009 18:47:49 +0000 http://mideastyouth.com/?p=3726#comment-259580 Whilst I agree that it seems that our Arab society does seem to favor men, I would like to concentrate on your first thoughts and give a different perspective. I agree with you that from an early age, girls start dreaming about their knight in shining armor who will come to rescue them and marry them. However, there lies part of the problem. After all, most people marry in their 20s and since the life expectancy these days is in the 70s, then that means that you will spend 50 years being married (or at least that is the expectation). Thus, marriage is only a step in your life. While it is important, many Arabs communicate to their female folk that marriage is their ultimate goal in life which I believe is wrong and a major part of the problem. Marriage is only a step in life similar to growing up, finishing your studying, getting a job, retiring, etc... However, we make it seem to women that it is their sole purpose in life and that does not make any sense. They still need to take care of themselves, they need to nurture their spirit. Marriage is an aim and not a means. That is my two fils on the subject. Whilst I agree that it seems that our Arab society does seem to favor men, I would like to concentrate on your first thoughts and give a different perspective. I agree with you that from an early age, girls start dreaming about their knight in shining armor who will come to rescue them and marry them. However, there lies part of the problem.
After all, most people marry in their 20s and since the life expectancy these days is in the 70s, then that means that you will spend 50 years being married (or at least that is the expectation). Thus, marriage is only a step in your life. While it is important, many Arabs communicate to their female folk that marriage is their ultimate goal in life which I believe is wrong and a major part of the problem. Marriage is only a step in life similar to growing up, finishing your studying, getting a job, retiring, etc… However, we make it seem to women that it is their sole purpose in life and that does not make any sense.
They still need to take care of themselves, they need to nurture their spirit. Marriage is an aim and not a means. That is my two fils on the subject.

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