Podcast: Sex, relationships, and independence in the Arab world
Sex, relationships, and independence in the Arab world [47:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (507)In this podcast, I speak with Nadia from Tunisia about relationships and the perception of sex in the Arab world. What is accepted, what isn’t, and what’s hypocritical about our current societies. This is an important discussion but still surprisingly a taboo in the MENA region. Amongst the things we discuss are: virginity, independence (specifically for women), families, marriage, and societal expectations.
Keep in mind that most of what’s in the podcast is a result of our observations and personal opinions. Regardless of whether or not you agree, we urge you to keep the conversation respectful.
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October 24th, 2009 at 10:53 pmI am intrigued as to why there has been no response to this posting. Are the questions raised here of concern to the moderator and Nadia alone, or is it that our youth – generally speaking – have more pressing and topical concerns than the Western-model of sexual revolution (as offered here) as an alternative? And if so, what are these concerns? Are people more frustrated at making ends meet at such a time of global depression, or are their priorities revolve more around achieving higher degrees, better jobs, occupations, roadblocks, suicide bombs, etc? Or is it because that this discussion of sexual/relationship freedom (as broadcast here) present us as the Other – the weird, uneducated, backward Other?
With all due respect, but I think the moderator should know better than talk to this part of the world with an American accent and language (even if they have Arabic background or blood in them). It is no good to try to impose Western Culture and Values on a people whose necks are reeling from the continuous defeats and humiliations caused by non other than the very role model you want us all to follow. Bush’s seat is not cold yet and the Iraq War, Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine war stand there as daily reminders of such a fact; Obama has yet to actually do something tangible to prove his worth too.
Moreover, it is a useless exercise to try to bring in the notion of a Western culture to people who believe that the Western social model is a failure anyway. It is a known fact that the Western society is largely represented in the Arab world as that of decaying and posses low moral values – rightly or wrongly (it’s a debatable point).
Still, if you really want to bring a real change or start a sexual revolution, you really have to do it in a language people understand and respect. And to succeed, you have to maintain respect for the existing social traditions and boundaries. Let’s face it: we are not Westerners. We have different sets of values and traditions. The same way, say, Japanese or Chinese have their own. And the sooner we realise – and accept – this, the faster we can start to work on setting our own blue prints for the social or sexual revolution you speak of. Though as world revolutions had to follow certain thoughts at certain times (Marx, for example), I agree that we too have to follow one too. Somehow however I get the feeling the Western one is not the right one.. if you get me drift.
It just that it seems to me sometimes that the problem is in not how the West represents the East, but in how the East represents itself.
December 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 pmSana,
That’s because the actual discussion took place here.
And may you allow me to get a little defensive about your claims (most of which, by the way, are completely irrelevant)?
In what way is speaking about sex publicly a sign of anyone imposing “Western culture and values” to the Arab world? And what does a mere accent have anything to do with one’s identity and experience? Newsflash: People here have sex. People get raped. Men obsess about a woman’s virginity despite having pre-marital sex themselves. Talking about this is now “imposing Western culture” in Arab lands? In other words… what?
I am not generally fond of anyone who questions my identity and claims that I am, in any way, shape, or form, “Westernized” or “morally corrupt” simply because I chose to discuss what many dismiss as a “taboo.” I am sorry that my accent isn’t to your liking, but much to your dismay, I AM an Arab and I am a Muslim, I am imposing no other culture on my own, thank you very much. I was born here, raised here, and lived here all my life. I am just as relevant as ANY other Arab, and MY concerns ARE concerns shared by millions of Arab youth.
Are you serious? You’re making this about Orientalism? Two Arab ladies are talking about sex and hypocrisy in the Arab world, a very relevant and a subject underrated in its importance, and suddenly, we are “misrepresenting” ourselves. I am never going to accept societal flaws, dismiss abusive behavior, accept violations and censor my opinions and criticism simply for others to have good things to say about me and my way of life. It’s ignorant and it’s destructive, and stands against every value I wish to represent.
This podcast doesn’t misrepresent us. We are expressing our opinions and observations – in no way should that be frowned upon.
February 5th, 2010 at 6:02 pmGood posting, I bookmarked your site so I can visit again in the future, All the Best
February 28th, 2010 at 6:02 am