Individualism vs Collectivism in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has long been known for its strict policies especially those that involve women. In the past, women there are to conform totally to strict guidelines of modesty particularly in their attire. The women were also deprived of human needs such as education and entering the workforce. However though, do not be surprised if you were to be interviewed by a female interviewer in Saudi Arabia when you go job hunting there nowadays.

According to a recent issue raised in the media, women in Saudi Arabia are slowly being given the freedom to express themselves more liberally by giving them the rights to do so. The women could face a brighter future with their increasing opportunities to receive education even up till university level and eventually entering the workforce. In a recent time magazine issue at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1929152,00.html, even the women who are currently in the workforce could choose whether or not to wear clothes adhering to the strict dress code namely the abaya (a black cloak), the headscarf and the niqab (a veil). This shows the increasing trend of the need to become more individualistic especially in the light of this modern era in which people almost all over the world are becoming more expressive of themselves as individuals rather than as a collectivist.

According to Harry Triandis (1976), individualism against collectivism is actually a great cultural difference in social behaviour.
In an individualist culture, social behaviour is influenced greatly by one's own goals, attitudes and values.
The following are some terms associated with individualists:

• freedom
• honesty
• social recognition

On the other hand, collectivism is influenced by goals, views and needs of the ingroup rather than of the individual.
The following are some terms characterised by collectivists:

• modesty
• fulfillment of others' needs
• high interdependence
  

Saudi Arabia is increasingly accepting the idea of women becoming more involved in the community, society and the country because in these days, it is not wise and logical for half the country's human capital to be staying at home 24/7 without contributing to the outside world. Besides, Saudi Arabia cannot continue to depend largely on oil. There is a need to develop new types of economies that can involve even the women whether totally or partly.

Any kind of change takes time. The change that we are seeing in Saudi Arabia is like a phenomenon. It is definitely not easy for Saudi Arabia to fully accept the new ideas being tested. As mentioned in the media article, "You have to prove you are not giving away your religious principles. You have to prove that participating in public affairs and taking leadership positions doesn't jeopardize Islamic values and Saudi identity." Thus, in any kind of society, even if the people are becoming more individualistic, they still have to adhere to certain basic guidelines that would not tarnish the image of the society. Let us just hope that the journey towards change in Saudi Arabia would be a smooth one.