By ALI AL-KHISHAIBAN | AL-RIYADH
The acceptance or rejection of new ideas in Saudi society is subject to different criteria.
These ideas have to go through cultural and social filters before they are accepted or rejected.
An example would be riding bicycles, an idea rejected more than 50 years ago by people before they finally accepted it.
A recent case is the issue of allowing women to drive. If we are looking for a solution to this issue, then we cannot ignore these social factors. In Saudi society no one rejects or supports the issue just for the sake of it. Everyone has his or her own reasons.
The real problem in allowing a woman to drive lies in understanding the balance between woman’s need to drive and society’s willingness to accommodate this need.
Societies are not compelled to meet the needs of all individuals if they negatively affect others. This does not apply only to the issue of women driving, but all other ideological and cultural issues.
The issue of women driving is based on individual needs. In allowing women to drive, society is dealing with a complex issue.
For instance, a family man with five or six daughters would need several cars. It would create a problem between siblings when it comes to equality.
The family would be burdened with huge financial obligations. This is, however, music to the ears of car dealers because they will be making good money out of it. read more
Categories: Asia, Law, Saudi Arabia
I feel that a healthy discussion has started in Saudi Arabia on this topic. Of course the Saudis do not feel that they are discriminating against women, rather that they are protecting them. Still, in the age of mobile phones any lady who may be stuck somewhere can easily call for assistance. My guess is that within a couple of years the Saudi ladies will be able to drive.