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Information Sciences Letters

Information Sciences Letters

Abstract

Saudi students come from a country where gender norms are conventional, conservative, and governed by religious principles. Some of the challenges Saudi students face when they meet more permissive Western gender expressions have been outlined in other studies. By concentrating on how couples adjust, this study builds on prior studies. This study aimed to look at how Saudi Arabian students adapt to the diverse gender environments in the United States. Twenty Saudi students (10 couples) participated in qualitative interviews, and three major groups of tactics emerged. First, Cultural Strategies document the ways by which the students attempted to negotiate American daily life (religion, education, food, dress, etc). Second, Gender Strategies address gender relations, taking into account both changes brought on by American culture (such as women driving) and difficulties posed. By the co-education of men and women. Last but not least, social strategies deal with Saudi students choices in their social lives, including tactics for interacting with and avoiding Americans. Together, the results typically lend support to earlier studies. However, the emphasis on couples also offers fresh perspectives. Most notably, the study reveals that being in the US impacts both men and women. This is particularly true when it comes to childcare and housework. Additionally, even while some of the students who were questioned hoped to bring some of their fresh perspectives and experiences back to Saudi Arabia (such as womens increased independence and chances for meaningful employment), in other areas their ties to Saudi society were strengthened (the modesty of women; no drugs and alcohol).

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