Everyday Youth Cultures in the Gulf Peninsula; Changes and Challenges

Description

Focusing on the struggles of youth in the Arabian Gulf to find their place in their encounters with modernity, Everyday Youth Cultures in the Gulf Peninsula explores how global forces are reshaping everyday cultural experiences in authoritarian societies. A deeper understanding of Gulf youth emerges from reading about the everyday lives and struggles, opportunities, and contributions of youth who, in the process of developing their personal identities, are also incrementally transforming their societies and cultures. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, the chapters bring fresh insight into Gulf youth microcultures from the ground and invite dialogue by engaging young local and foreign academics in the discussion. In light of the general difficulties of accessing Gulf societies, the book’s nuanced, richly detailed depictions of everyday life can be of interest to academic research in Middle East studies, youth sociology, political science and anthropology, as well as to business and governmental decision-making. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of contents Figures Contributors Acknowledgements Introduction: Gulf youth cultures in the everyday Youth studies and youth cultures Middle East and Gulf youth Gulf youth and social change Youth cultures in the everyday Outline of the volume References Part 1 Spaces of engagement and contestation Chapter 1 Reshaping political participation in nondemocratic regimes: Youth initiatives and urban practices in Kuwait Introduction Youth quotidian cultures between cultural politics and political culture Youth in Kuwait: dimensions, cultures and challenges Youth activism in Kuwait Authoritarian spaces and dissent: the alternative city Home businesses, heritage, and community Gardens, markets, and explorations Creativity, environmentalism, and Kuwaiti identity Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes Reference list Chapter 2 The Saudi YouTube phenomenon: From anarchism to institutionalism Historical context The public sphere The internet era Methodology Online production Stand-up comedy Saudi YouTube shows Popular culture The early YouTube phase The booming era From anarchism to institutionalism End of the booming era Post-booming era Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 3 The Amiri Diwan and Kuwait’s cultural renaissance Introduction Historical overview of Kuwait’s early post-oil period The reproduction of the status quo in 21st century Kuwait The erasure of modern heritage Behind the scenes Conclusions Notes References Part 2 Traditions and innovations Chapter 4 Engaging young people in charity in the State of Kuwait Introduction Research methodology Charities in Kuwait: a historical overview Youth’s engagement in charities in Kuwait Charity as an expression of Kuwaiti tradition Charity as an expression of Islamic spirit Charity as a conception of modernity Conclusions Acknowledgements Note References Chapter 5 Youth and religion in a landscape of change: Reflections on practicing Ibadi-Islam in Oman Introduction Ambiguity and everyday religion The religious landscape in Oman Exploring Muscat and other cities: the invisible presence of Ibadi-Islam On learning Ibadi-Islam and being an Ibadi Religious discourse, practice and Ibadi-Islam Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 6 When love is neither showing nor giving: The challenges of Valentine’s Day in Oman Introduction An anthropology of love, between theory and fieldwork To show or not to show: Valentine’s Day as economic capital Consumption, advertising, or the “Valentinian excuse” Showing as a necessary act Modesty and its religious resonances To give or not to give: from gender roles to the unconditional gift Lustful men and venal women The ideal of disinterest Conclusions Notes References Part 3 Sociabilities and identities Chapter 7 “Facing life together”: Everyday friendship and well-being among Dubai’s Indian diaspora Introduction Methodology Sacrifice and living “a good life” “We only require people to speak” Shared time and space “This friendship is what lightens us”: stories of group belonging Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 8 Are you what you eat?: The vegans of Kuwait The modern, the global, and the Kuwaiti Methodology Becoming vegan Who I was Catalytic experiences, turning points, epiphanies Learning processes The vegan world view Negotiating veganism Maintenance: new tribes Cultural representations Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 9 “They know what they want, and they don’t settle for less”: Identity and young women entrepreneurs in Kuwait Introduction Background Gender, youth, and entrepreneurial identity Methodology Challenging quotidian spaces in Kuwait as an entrepreneur and a woman Identity centrality Independence and individual expression Rewriting gender scripts Role transformation Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes References Part 4 Practices of inclusion in education Chapter 10 Juvenile improvisations: Designing for youth in Abu Dhabi Youth and design in the UAE: A new pact? Architecture, social responsibility and spatial agency Designing a youth hub for Abu Dhabi: A case study Design narratives: A set of dispositions for Emirates youth Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 11 Islamic Education and youth culture: Exploring tolerance in UAE Islamic Education classrooms Introduction Understanding tolerance Methodology Research findings Analysis of Arabic Islamic Education interviews and observations Tolerance in school culture Sensitive situations The intersection of citizenship, tolerance, and extremism Analysis of English Islamic Education interviews and observations School culture and tolerance Challenges associated with teaching about tolerance Areas that needed development when teaching for tolerance Synthesising and contrasting the Islamic Education classes Conclusions Acknowledgements Notes References Chapter 12 English Language poetry and Qatari students Introduction Why poetry? Teaching poetry to Qatari students Writing poetry with Qatari students I will be A recipe to impress society Triolet about black &white Notes References Conclusions References Index