Introduction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Introduction - Essay Example In this thesis, I use Saudization as a metaphor to highlight the impact of the Saudi culture and way of life on one immigrant community, namely the Iraqi migrants in Saudi Arabia. Further explanation for this definition will be provided in the following sections of this introduction. Moving from one social environment to another has an impact of changing the living pattern of emigrants in various aspects of their lives. This thesis will investigate and discuss the actuality of the Saudization of those families. The research will focus on the group of conservative Iraqi families who emigrated in late 1960s from Iraq to Saudi Arabia for socio-economical and political reasons. Whereas the notion of conservativeness has different meaning in both countries a comparison of the two concepts will be provided in the coming chapters. What these conservative Iraqi families faced while they were settling and how they managed to make their place in the society is what the research will be focusing on, concentrating on the social changes experienced as a result of moving into a more conservative Islamic state and highlighting the ability of these families to cope with the differing cultures whilst still trying to maintain their socio-cultural identity to enhance the feeling o f belonging within their children of the second generation. These families were considered to be a minority amongst the other foreigners living in Saudi Arabia. The reasons for immigration also vary from one family to another significantly and each has their own stories to tell. Underneath the coherent appearance of these small community members, the disruptive effect of cross-cultural consequences plays out behind the facade. However, this can be identified only by one of its members or a highly involved individual who has a direct link which allows them to reach within the circle of innermost thoughts and experiences and break the barriers of pride. In order to provide a