Arab American Dating Can At Times Be Complicated

By Peter Ellis


Starting a relationship can be very exciting but sometimes it is not permitted. This is fairly common among middle eastern cultures. Some communities don't perceive it the same way as others do. Arab American Dating can be very difficult for some people as according to their traditions it is frowned upon.

In America, going out on a date is seen as a normal part of growing up. The culture and acceptance of taking your girlfriend out on a date is seen as a positive thing to do. However, in the Arab culture going on a date is mostly frowned upon and seen as a shameful act against their family. Mostly because of what Hollywood has made it out to look like. The teenagers are always seem having sex on the first date as their goal.

In their culture boys have more freedom than girls do. Girls are not treated the same and can't do the same things as boys are allowed to do. Many people regard this behavior as being sexist against woman. Many families feel that they are not being sexist but just protecting their daughters and their reputations.

Hollywood has depicted dating where single people participate in premarital sex. These types of relations are not constant and usually indicate that partners are not fully committed to one person. Most of the time they can't stay in a relationship for long and they go from one relationship to the next.

Arab families want to protect their daughters from falling pregnant and disgracing their family. Some families have no problem when their son wants to go have sex and you will find that their parents will supply the condoms. However, when a daughter wants to have sex the parents will forbid them even from going out.

This type of culture seems to be stricter towards their daughters than towards their sons. If a son had to go to his parents and ask to go to a party, his parents would be happy with it. If a daughter had to go ask if she would be able to attend the same party, her parents would conduct an interrogation first. Her parents would begin with questions like "who will be going with you?", "who are all the people going to this party?" Her parents will give her a list of rules to follow and would tell her to come home early.

In their community dating is just not an option. The families insist that their children need to first focus on getting their education done and then they can get married. When getting involved in a relationship while at university this could be a huge distraction and is not permitted. Family counselors within the community come around to families and educate them on the dangers of letting your children date.

Arranged marriages are the traditions of their culture and if they have been found in a relationship before they have been given a wife, they will be shamed within their community. Some of the younger generations view are changing and moving away from this type of traditions. American Arab Dating is starting grow within their community and being a lot more accepted than in the past.




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