Family Life Education in Saudi Arabia

Family Demographic Transition in Saudi Arabia: Emerging Issues and Concerns

“…Household structure continues to change as of 2016 with a decline in the number of children (<5 and 5-14 years) and adolescents/youths but an increase in adults and also the elderly. Nearly three-fifths of the families live in own houses, whereas the rest live in rental houses or official quarters-villa, traditional houses, or apartments (Almalki & Ganong, 2018;Salam et al, 2014). The survey data also show changes similar to those from the censuses in the age groups of both males and females.…”

“…Saudi Arabia is a collective society having an intertwined Arab culture and Islamic values and an acceptance of hierarchical order in the society (Almalki & Ganong, 2018), where the households have increased in number, but the number of persons per household has fallen noticeably (Al-Khraif et al, 2016). As per the censuses, the number of households has increased from 1,877,099 in 1992 to 2,957,661 in 2010 but depicts a decline in the number of persons per household from 6.6 to 6.3.…”

“…If a similar situation were to develop in Saudi Arabia, it could threaten norms of filial piety and care of a rapidly aging population. Fortunately, there are strong bonds of relationships in the society in line with traditional housings, shared accommodations, extended family groups, and family compounds, despite the impact of urbanization and nucleation of families (Almalki & Ganong, 2018).…”

“…The overall structure shows six persons (composed of two children aged 0-14 years; one adolescent/youth; three adults; one or none elderly at a household). Such a trend has been linked to economic abundance and an accompanying rise in consumerism and the purchase of status symbols, such as cars, employing domestic servants, and extravagance in housing and clothing-all visible lifestyle changes in the Kingdom accompanied by a remarkable increase in the family income (Almalki & Ganong, 2018;El-Haddad, 2003). However, in Gulf societies, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, older persons have maintained their economic role and status along with their authority and influence in the family and clan.…”

“…Females take the role of household head (having no spouse), or usually as a spouse (one per household), or as daughters (two per household), with a negligible number as other relatives. Almalki and Ganong (2018) mentioned that approximately 28% of households are female headed (employed women with nonworking husbands, divorced women, widows, or never married). There are no changes in the numbers except in sons and daughters in a household.…”