Differences in American and Tribal Arabic Socialization

Socialization is the process whereby the values, norms and taboos of a society are inculcated into the members of that society.  At present, there is no single global society, but as the globalization of the world’s economy continues, previously distinct and even isolated societies mingle and eventually will become codependent.  This post examines aspects of the socialization process in tribal Arabic societies and compares the outcome of that socialization process with aspects of American socialization. 

Each society uses various institutions to assist in the inculcation of its values, norms and taboos into its members.  Family, government, education, religion, military, medical and scientific communities, etc. all work to teach and reinforce a societies values and norms. 

Values are those desired attributes each society espouses.  Although the values can be seen in some regards as unattainable goals, performance or behavior that approximates the desired values merits praise and other positive reinforcement.  Performance or behavior that deviates from the desired values is sanctioned by a scowl, verbal rebuke or even incarceration.  The standards by which the society’s performance is measured and either praised or condemned are the norms.  Violation of a norm is sanctioned, performance exhibiting the stated values can be reinforced.  There are some norms that are so abhorrent to a society that their violation necessitates the most severe of sanctions the society has to offer.  The pursuit of values and the use of norms and their related sanctions are ways that society regulates the conduct of its members and advances.  Differences in societal values, norms and taboos between societies can manifest them selves as conflict. 

Socialization in tribal Arabic institutions begins immediately with the naming of the individual.  While Americans use the conventional Christian naming convention with two given names and the family name, Arabic naming convention gives the near-term genealogy along with the tribal and regional affiliation.  For instance, my given name is Kenneth Raymond Smith--I was given my father’s name as my middle name.  In the Arabic convention my name would have been Kenneth bin Raymond bin Joseph of the Smith’s of New York.  The Arabic convention immediately gives the individual a social status within his family and tribe.  Although both societies value self-reliance, family and tribal affiliation bring an additional understanding of who the individual is representing and to whom can the individual turn to for protection.

Arabs do not value the concept of secularism in any aspect of their society or governance.  Islam is intertwined throughout all aspects of the society.  Government meetings are begun: “In the name of Allah the Merciful and Most Powerful.”  The attributes used to describe Allah are taken from one of His 99 names.  Whether an individual is a pious observer of the tenets of Islam or not, during the Holy Month of Ramadan he will find difficulty not observing the fast.  The government closes all restaurants etc. between sunrise and sunset.  Drinking water is removed from public facilities such as golf courses.  Eating or drinking during the day is sanctioned—even for Westerners. 

While an American can, and is expected to, compartmentalize his religious from his official actions, that concept is incomprehensible within the Arabic socialization.  His standing within his family, the tribe and before God are all part of the individual’s socialization into Arabic society.  It is reinforced through all the societal institutions that Islam is God’s way replacing the now inferior tenets of Christianity and Judaism.

There are many more differences between socialized values and norms of tribal Arabic culture and American culture.  Articulating them all is beyond the scope of this post.  The differences are important though because as the global economy expands and strengthens, different societies with their differing values and norms will be brought together more closely.  The differences between the values and norms and taboos will shape rational thought within each of those societies.  What is rational may not transcend across societies and conflicts will continue to arise.  The interesting question will be: which values, norms and taboos survive when differing societies converge?

References:

Kienle, Eberhard. “Arab Unity Schemes Revisited: Interest, Identity, and Policy in Syria and Egypt.”  International Journal of Middle East Studies 27.1 (1995): 53-71

Salzman, Phillip Carl.  “The Middle East’s Tribal DNA.”  The Middle East Quarterly XV.1 (2008): 23-33