American Bedu

Why some Saudi men prefer Western Women as Partners
Current mood: full
Category: Travel and Places

Okay…I have no doubt this posting is going to perhaps raise eyebrows, generate controversy and some good discussion…First I wish I had the statistics in regards to how many Saudis are married to Western women.  I do know there are a lot of us here who have chosen a Saudi life-partner.But why has the Saudi male chosen to take a Western woman as a wife rather than a Saudi woman?First, in accordance with both Islam and Saudi culture/traditions, when a Saudi male marries he should provide his wife with a home of her home and a dowry (which is usually money and jewelry).  For many Saudi men it has actually become cost-prohibitive to provide these items to a Saudi woman.  And also in some circumstances a Saudi woman or her family will actually demand more in terms of the dowry than the man is willing to give.What does this mean in regards to the Western woman?  For some of us, it means that we are willing to accept less or perhaps even disregard the issue of the dowry at all.  In general, Western woman are typically more independent and not accustomed to the concept of a dowry in return for marriage which is appealing to some Saudi men.Secondly many Saudi women are more dependent upon and demanding of their spouse.  Again, as a result, this has drawn some Saudi men towards the Western women.  The Saudi man likes that the Western woman is not afraid to speak her mind, find her own ways and solutions to problems and in some ways make less demands on a spouse.The Saudi woman is usually a traditional woman and her children will take priority.  Her home and her children are her primary focus in life.  Sometimes after the home and children come her family such as mother and father.  The husband may not come first in her life.  These factors can also push a Saudi man away from a Saudi woman and find the Western woman appealing; especially if the Western woman enjoys giving him attention and putting him first on her list of priorities even if it is above any children.Because of exposure, culture and lifestyle, the Western woman is typically more adventurous than a Saudi woman.  Some Saudi men enjoy this and feel they have more of a partnership.And we cannot overlook the fact that arranged marriages continue in the Kingdom where while it is hoped that the couple will find love in one another they realize by agreeing to the marriage they are accepting each other in a partnership with clearly defined roles.  A western woman on the other hand is more likely to challenge and redefine some of those traditional roles in accordance with her own customs, values and traditions.Now I am not saying any of what I have just typed here is right or wrong but sharing my impressions and opinions as one living in the society and culture and being fortunate to have lovely friends married to Saudis who are both foreign women as well as Saudi nationals too.If you wish to comment on this posting  and not a myspace member, send me an email.  Site the subject which I gave for this posting and then your comment so I will post it to the appropriate blog posting.  Also it helps to advise how you wish to be attributed such as anonymous or some other name…:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />I will state upfront that if a comment is inappropriate I would not post it.  I’m pretty open and an example of what I mean by inappropriate is that at one time someone posted links to anti-american videos and the like.  My blog is not for anti-America or anti-Saudi bashing.  Yes; there are aspects to each country or society one may not like but if it is going to be discussed, it is going to be in an adult and constructive manner!so, my email address for your comments to be uploaded is:  american_bedu(at)yahoo(dot)com  

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