Is this what a good wife in Saudi Arabia must do?

Question

Women are forbidden to drive, to show their head and to speak in public, and to shake a man’s hand. On television, preachers incite husbands to beat their wives “for their own good”.

Without permission, women cannot even drive a car or change the colour of their clothes, and television preachers warn that women who shake a man’s hand are committing “adultery of the hand”.

In some Saudi cities, a woman cannot even “show her face”, she cannot get married without permission nor can she “remain married if one of her male relatives decides that her husband's lineage is inferior to hers... nor can she sue for divorce without apologizing and paying a fine.” Without permission, she “cannot keep her children after the divorce... hold a senior position in the private or public sectors... annoy her husband, and finally, a woman's voice is considered [a form of] defilement, and she is forbidden to speak in public.”

What say you?

Answer 1

Sounds like an aweful lot of freakin' work to me!

I would be beaten like a camel everyday of my married life.

Answer 2

If you really want to support women globally, especially Saudi women, follow the lead of US feminists who want the US to join the other 185 countries who've ratified this human rights treaty, CEDAW:

CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, is a United Nations treaty that sets out internationally-accepted principles that uphold women's rights. Feminists in the US have waited 27 years for the Senate to take action and ratify this treaty.

The United States has failed to ratify the CEDAW, also known as the Treaty on Women's Rights, even though CEDAW has been ratified by 185 countries - more than any other human rights treaty. It is being used by advocates in many of those countries to document abuses of women's human rights and the failures of those governments to adopt and enforce policies that promote gender equality. The U.S. stands among a small group of outliers such as Liberia, Sudan and a few others which have not yet ratified CEDAW.

US feminists and liberals are doing something about this, too bad our government doesn't care.

Answer 3

For the day and age in which Muhammad lived, the status of women, who had no rights, was raised, and they were protected from horrible abuse. Muslim women had more rights and privileges than any women on earth at the time. Today, however, rules for a feudal, medieval age are no longer appropriate and are in fact harmful for the development of society. That is not to say that the "anything goes" standards of the West are appropriate however. Moderation in all things is the workable standard. Education for both genders is key to finding a balance.

Answer 4

I say we take notice and reflect on our values with our own wives. I say keep out of other nations business. It is not in our best interest to make policy in other nations when we have our own social problems to resolve. I am not advocating the way Muslims treat their wives but, if you bring your religion here, then you must abide by our civil laws. You do not like our law stay away.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have it about right. When all this is taking place where are the feminists in America? Why aren't they protesting and helping their sisters in Saudi Arabia?
Is it oil again? Or is it were just there so good friend?

Answer 6

Saudi Arabia is not a good place for women, or many other people, there is no Democracy, freedom or Justice.

Answer 7

And yet the women stay in that country. There's no accounting for taste. The people of the entire region seem like barbarians.

Answer 8

In his own way, Bush is a pretty good Saudi wife.

He has covered, with a figurative veil, the huge Saudi role in global Islamic terrorism.

.

Answer 9

Out of curiosity which is it? They can't drive, or they need permission?

Its a whole different culture. We can't force people to change that. Maybe one day they will agree with our point of view, maybe they never will. I don't agree with it, some Saudis don't agree with it, but the solution is not to demand that they alter their values in order to match our values. Discussion on such subjects is likely the safer and more appropriate solution.

You can change what a man says, what a man does, and even what a man thinks, but do not expect him to love you afterwards.

Answer 10

well, saudi arabia is a very traditional country. they really aren't as modern as the u.s. or really any country for that matter. women have been treated like this since the beginning of time. women in saudi arabia understand that reputation, tradition, and family comes first. it's not all that bad. it's not as strict for most women.