Social Development and Social Changes in the UAE

Social Development

Introduction

• The UAE government has given great attention to social development alongside economic development.
• Social development services target all members of society, including families, elderlies, children, youth (young men and women), and women, through specific foundations and projects.

Definition of Development

• Development involves practical efforts to invest and mobilize human and material resources to achieve community objectives.
• Development is defined as all the processes and efforts planned and designed to produce a sequence of social and economic changes intended to increase the overall welfare of society members.

The Concept of Social Development

• Social development is the process of social changes designed to improve a society's living standards by improving economic development.
• It refers to changes in the social system within a society and can also refer to sociocultural evolution or social progress.
• Social development should reflect society’s desire to live in prosperity and equality.
• Each community member must have freedom from colonial rule and be actively involved in the development process, leading to a dignified and high-quality lifestyle.
• Social development is an important aspect of a country.
• A strong society leads to a strong and stable country economically, socially, and politically.
• Emphasizing social development is crucial in building a strong country or civilization.

Requirements of Social Development Processes

• Social development requires intended change in the social structure and existing system because of the compatibility of society’s ideology.
• It requires rebuilding the social system on a new basis consistent with the requirements of the desired change in society.

Pre-Oil Social Services

• UAE society is a tribal society with strong tribal ties and marriage relationships.
• In-law relationships are established according to customs and traditions.
• Services were provided by the tribe to individuals, such as help with a son’s marriage, building a ship, and any family emergency.
• Alliances prohibit fighting and promote logical reasoning, dialogue, cooperation, and understanding.
• "Alliance is a social law and the basis for cooperation of individuals of social services for the tribe’s members."
• The head of the tribe was the political governor and led the tribe in war or peace.
• The head collected money or other income from tribe members to help with different social needs.

Social Development and Social Services After the Union

• The UAE has adopted the “welfare and care state” concept, providing the needs of society in income, education, health, food, and housing.
• Sheikh Zayed said, "Man is the most precious of what we own."
• The social affairs sector is one of the key development departments.

Needs of Development Strategy

• The UAE government saw the need to form legislation aimed at achieving equality between citizens and reinforcing their rights by providing the following services:
  • Educational services
  • Health services
  • Improved transportation
  • Publishing and means of communication
  • Social care and family life
  • Cultural services
  • Housing services
  • Services to improve the conditions of women, youth, people with disabilities, and children.

Social Changes

Examples of Social Changes

• Changes in the formation of the family (marriage systems).
• Changes in the pattern of the family from extended to nuclear family.
• Changes in the functions of the family.

1. Changes in the Formation of the Family (Marriage System)

• “Endogamy” was dominant in the past (marriage within the same tribe, family, or group) to protect wealth and ensure security and stability.
• Later, it became “Exogamy” (marriage outside the tribe or city).
• Customs and traditions of marriage started to change.
• The cost of marriage became high.
• In the past, marriage occurred at an early age (men 16-22, women 16-18). Now, women get married at much older ages.

2. Changes in the Pattern of the Family from Extended to Nuclear Family

3. Changes in the Functions of the Family

• Socialization
• Economic Function
• Reproductive Function

a. Socialization

• Socialization is the process through which people are taught to be proficient members of a society.
• It describes how people come to understand societal norms and expectations, accept society's beliefs, and be aware of societal values.
• It is the social process by which the individual changes from a biological to a cultural being.
• The individual acquires personality through internal social and cultural values, learns the language of the society, acquires the dominant religion, and recognizes different values.

How did the Individual Accomplish Socialization?

• Through different roles performed by various groups (agents of socialization).
• The most important agent is the family.
• Extended family assisted individuals to socialize with their children in the past.
• After political development, different agents supported the family in their task of socialization such as educational institutions, mass media, peer groups (friends), and social organizations (social, religious, and economic).

b. Change of the Economic Function

• Women became able to perform economic roles just like their husbands.
• Both parents share in satisfying the demands of the family members.

Reasons that Affected the Economic Role of Women:

• The increase in the number of female graduates.
• The availability of job opportunities for female graduates.
• The necessity of women’s participation in the labor market to increase the number of citizen employees.
• The ability of women to combine home duties and job duties because of the availability of home technology, daycare centers, and housemaids.

c. Change of the Reproductive Function

• After the changes, many couples prefer to have a small number of children.

Reasons:

• The high economic expenses of children’s socialization.
• Working mothers cannot combine home duties, especially raising children, and job duties.
• The changing values and customs related to having many children.
• The increment in the educational level and the awareness of husbands and wives.

Social Challenges

Social Changes and Challenges in the UAE Society

• Changes in society lead to challenges that need attention.

Social Challenges in the UAE Society

• Occurrence of marriage to foreigners
• High rate of divorce
• Drug abuse
• Change in social phenomena
• Lack of the family's role in the socialization process
• Spinsterhood
• Problems associated with servants and nannies
• Incoming immigration

Problems of Lack of Family Socialization

• Reasons:
  • Media
  • Complete dependence on servants and nannies for socialization
  • Modern technology changes and the potential implications of cultural verity
  • Changes in the values of society (e.g., materialism)
  • Women working full-time with no real supervision over their children

Divorce

• Effects of divorce in the UAE society:
  • The negative perception towards divorced women.
  • Children are deprived of care and attention.
  • Children are exposed to behavioral risks.
  • Methods of compensating may result in a lack of emotional sense and security.

The Problem of Drug Abuse

• Reasons behind the spread of drug abuse in the UAE society:
  • Friends influences
  • Travel without parental supervision
  • Films spreading violence and drug ideas
  • Free time
  • Family problems (child’s neglect, father’s absence)
  • Financial wealth

Maids and Nannies

• Reasons behind depending on maids and nannies:
  • High level of individual income
  • Big houses
  • Preoccupation with social events and exchange visits
  • The relatively low wages of domestic workers
  • Working mothers
  • Divorce

Spinsterhood

• Reasons for spinsterhood:
  • High cost of marriage
  • Women's pursuit of higher education and a successful career
• Negative effect of spinsterhood: Affecting the increment of the population in society
• Government solution to this problem: Provide financial grants to citizens who have limited resources

Incoming Immigration

• Negative impacts on society:
  • Political concerns such as the risk of the disappearance of national identity.
  • Economic impacts, such as high rates of Emirati unemployment. The UAE government has taken serious steps in this regard (e.g., Nafis program)
  • Social effects such as creating a mix of social costumes and values.