Lebanese society

Rue Maarad is a main street in the central district of Beirut
Palm trees at the seafront in Corniche Beirut
Sidewalk Cafes are a trademark of the BCD

Lebanese society is very modern and similar to certain cultures of Southern Europe as the country is "linked ideologically and culturally to Europe through France, and its uniquely diverse religious composition [create] a rare environment that [is] at once Arab and European".[1] It is often considered as Europe's gateway to Western Asia as well as Asia's gateway to the Western World.[2]

The Lebanese system is parliamentary democracy, which implements a special system known as confessionalism. This system is intended to deter sectarian conflict and attempts to fairly represent the demographic distribution of the 18 recognized religious groups in government. High-ranking offices are reserved for members of specific religious groups. The President, for example, has to be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, the Speaker of the Parliament a Shi’a Muslim, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eastern Orthodox Christian.[3][4]

Family life

Family life is very important in the Lebanese culture. Family functioning is associated with the values of collectivism in the Lebanese society. One person’s family functioning is indicative of their individual status and identity.[5] The average household size ranges between 3.9 and 4.9.[6]

Kinship

Patrilineal kin group is another major unit of identity for the Lebanese. The actual extent of identity through kin groups varies. Large clans are typically more traditional and have political and economic ties to its unit. Instead, extended families are generally the boundaries of which these kin groups separate. The Lebanese household serves as the center of these kin groups. There are little variations in kinship patterns in the rural and urban areas of Lebanon. The value of family loyalty is heavily emphasized within these kin groups. One important expectation of family loyalty is nepotism, where family members are expected to find employment for each other, in order for its family unit to function and survive.[7]

Children and parenting

Child-rearing practices are characterized by the severe discipline and protection the parents impose on the children. Unlike Western societies, parental control does not stop at the age of 18; instead, it continues for as long as the child lives in the father’s residence or until the child marries.

In some Lebanese families, male children are favored over daughters and are given special privileges. When the first boy has been given birth to, the married couple is no longer addressed by their given names alone but is also called by the name of their son – “father of x” and “mother of x”.[8]

Gender roles

Main article: Women in Lebanon

Notwithstanding the persistence of traditional attitudes regarding the role of women, Lebanese women enjoy equal civil rights and attend institutions of higher education in large numbers (for example, women constituted 41 percent of the student body at the American University of Beirut in 1983). Although women in Lebanon have their own organizations, most exist as subordinate branches of the political parties.

The illiteracy rate for females in 2007 was 14%, compared to 6.6% among males.[6] The economic activity rate for the age group 15 years and above is 68.9% for males, but only 20.4% for females.[6] The proportion of seats held by women in parliament in 2009 was 3.1%.[6]

Sexual Morals

Compared to most other Middle Eastern capitals, Beirut is much more tolerant with regard to relations between men and women, and also with regard to homosexuality.

Premarital and extramarital sexual relations are frowned upon by a lot of the Lebanese society. It is uncommon to see these types of relationships outside of metropolitan Beirut. Lebanese youth (particularly in Beirut) very commonly date, and public displays of affection such as kissing, hugging, holding hands, reclining together, are completely accepted. Mixed-sex groups of youth are very common in Verdun, Hamra Street, Ashrafieh, and downtown Beirut as well as other places. Premarital physical sexual relations are very common, although intercourse is frowned upon and avoided by both Muslim and Christian girls.

The contraceptive prevalence rate is estimated at 58%, of which 34% modern contraceptives, primarily IUDs, pills and condoms.[6] Prostitution in Lebanon is nominally legal.[9]

Beirut has a large number of gay bars and nightclubs, in addition to two LGBT rights organizations, namely Helem and Meem.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Craig S. The Middle East For Dummies
  2. ↑ Lebanon Culture. hangoverguide.com, 18 December 2006.
  3. ↑ "Lebanon's Confessionalism: Problems and Prospects". United States Institute of Peace. 2009-03-22. Archived from the original on 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  4. ↑ Marie-Joëlle Zahar. "Chapter 9 Power sharing in Lebanon: Foreign protectors, domestic peace, and democratic failure". Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  5. ↑ Kazarian, Shahe S. "Family Functioning, Cultural Orientation, and Psychological Well-Being Among University Students in Lebanon." The Journal of Social Psychology 145.2 (2005): 141-54.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 UNFPA Lebanon - Country Profile
  7. ↑ Gulick, John. "Old Values and New Institutions in a Lebanese Arab City." Human Organization 24.1 (1965): 49-52.
  8. ↑ Collelo, Thomas. "Lebanon's Culture: Society." (1987): n. page. Web. 4 May. 2012.
  9. ↑ "Prostitution – The business of sex". Executive Magazine. Retrieved 2014-10-22.
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