The Arab Family in an Age of Transition

Promoted research on the family in the Arab world. It seeked to generate evidence to inform family policies that promote the wellbeing of families.

DIFI, in collaboration with the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University, organized a conference titled, “The Arab Family in an Age of Transition: Challenges and Resilience.” The political turmoil and economic challenges that are played out on the national stage in the Arab world are also lived and experienced at the level of the family; the fundamental unit of social organization in Arab societies. The challenges facing the Arab family today are as diverse as the region itself, ranging from economic pressures and cultural threats to political turbulence and violent conflict. The coping strategies and long-term implications of these challenges on the formation, stability, and wellbeing of the Arab family are the focus of this conference. Scholars from inside and outside the region are invited to discuss and exchange ideas and opinions on the spectrum of challenges that threaten not only the stability and welfare of the Arab family, but in some cases its very survival, as well as to give their research insights into the range of coping mechanisms and their short and long-term implications.

Overall Conference Objectives

• To focus on research, theory and practices to advance our knowledge of the Arab family.
• To highlight the role of the family as a defining force in shaping society, focusing on regional trends, areas of strength and resilience and challenges affecting families in Arab countries.
• To examine the role of policy in supporting the family and to consider global issues which impact the Arab family, either positively or negatively, from a multidisciplinary perspective.
• To engage with scholars and practitioners on discussions that analyze mutually beneficial practices within the context of family policy.

Conference Structure:
The conference included panel sessions with invited senior researchers, renowned key note speakers, symposia where selected papers were presented as well as a poster session.

Conference Themes:

• Political, economic, and cultural challenges facing the Arab family in different regions of the Arab world.
• Marriage and divorce in the Arab world; responses to challenges in terms of marriage practices (such as misyar, ‘urfi, mut’aa, mixed, marriage of minors, and living together-apart marriages); the causes and consequences of separation and divorce.
• The role of state policies on family formation and stability, including the effect of the absence of such policies.

To learn more about the event please click here, and visit the conference website

The views expressed in these papers or presentations are the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, the Doha International Family Institute.

• Welcome Speech by Miss Noor Al Malki Jehani
• Agenda

Presentations