reformism and liberal thinking. Liberal feminist tend to think liberal in the paradigm which is more moderate and not revolutionary.
Liberal feminism try to aware women that they are oppressed faction. The thing that conducted by women in the domestic area is
campaigned as unproductive matter and place women in subordinate. Liberal feminism argues the statement explicitly that there is the gender injustice
which is constructed by both social and culture. The clear critics are frequently state toward patriarchal institution like a family which does not provide self-
improvement freedom for both wife and daughters. The cause of the difference’s right between men and women is a patriarchal system. So, the
liberal feminism assume that the patriarchal system must be destroyed and change the individuals’ attitude especially women’s attitude in relationship
with men, so that the cooperation will be formed based on the equality.
D. Woman’s right in Culture of Saudi Arabia
a. Marriage, Family and Kinship
• Marriage
Traditionally, marriage is between paternal first cousins or other
patrilineally related kin. It is customary for potential spouses not to meet before the wedding night, and marriages had to be arranged by fathers,
mothers, and other relatives. These practices are changing slowly and unevenly, but the tendency is toward fewer close-cousin marriages and for the
couple to communicate with each other before the wedding. Parents still arrange marriages but are more likely to manage indirectly and from the
background. Men are allowed to have four wives at a time as long as they can treat them equally, but polygamy is uncommon in most of the population.
Marriage is considered a necessary part of life, and almost all adults marry. Marriage is usually a costly affair. Divorce is relatively easy for men and
difficult for women. Divorce rates are high, and remarriage is common, especially for men.
• Kin Groups. Kinship is patrilineal, and women continue to remain members of their
kin groups after marriage. Among Bedouin and many rural settlers, kin groups identified by ancestral names in larger aggregations include lineages, clans,
and tribes and have major social significance. Genealogy is of great interest; although corporate kin groups have largely ceased to exist, many people
continue to identify with and take pride in their lineage, clan, and tribal names and descent.
b. Etiquette
Social interaction is marked by strong gender segregation and respect for age differentials. An egalitarian ethos and a high valorization of polite
behavior also prevail. Men and women seldom interact across the gender divide outside the domestic space of families, and many of the societys most
powerful dos and donts aim to regulate such interaction beyond the confines of a home. Thus male-female interaction in a commercial shop should be
formal and strictly limited to the process of buying and selling. Generally, men and women should refrain from making specific references to individuals of
the other gender, although it is appropriate and common for one to inquire about the well-being of another individuals family or house—concepts
which are understood as circumlocutions for significant others of the opposite gender. Deference should be shown to those who are older, and relations
between generations are often characterized by strict formality and the maintenance of decorum in social gatherings.
c. Ethnic Relations
As Muslims, Saudi Arabians participate in a community ummah in which issues of race, ethnicity, and national origin should be of no
significance and never form the basis for social action, political behavior, and economic organization. The identity of Muslim transcends the borders of
states and ideally takes precedence over all other identities. Socially, however, the concept of origin asl is strong among many
Saudi Arabians. Some people, mainly in Hijaz, are recognized descendants of
Muhammad and are known as Ashraf . Many others throughout the kingdom assert patrilineal descent from eponymous ancestors from ancient Arab tribes.
Still others stress Arabian origins but without tribal connections. However, Saudi citizenship embraces people with historical origins outside the Arabian
Peninsula. Considerations of origin are important markers and influence social interaction, including marriage, but do not translate directly into economic or
power differentials in the national society. Moreover, the social significance of such considerations is waning, especially among younger people.
d. Social Problems and Control
Adherence to Islamic values and maintenance of social stability in the context of rapid economic change has been consistent goals of Saudi Arabias
development plans. Religion and society combine to foster significant social control. A powerful deterrent to deviant behavior is that such behavior brings
shame to ones family and kin and is considered sinful. Crimes related to alcohol and drugs and to sexual misconduct sometimes are linked to rapid
modernization. Theft is rare, and other economic crimes are relatively uncommon, with the exception of smuggling. Assault and murder are limited
mainly to segments of tribal communities and usually involve issues of honor and revenge.
The justice system is based on the Sharia, which defines many crimes and specifics punishments. Crimes not specially identified in the Sharia are
defined on the basis of analogy and often are punished by prison sentences.
Sharia-prescribe punishments usually have a physical component. An individual arrested on a criminal charge is detained in a police station until a
judgment is rendered by a court of first instance preside over by one or more Qadis. A court of cassation, or appeal court, also exists, and the king functions
as a final court of appeal a person found not guilty is released. If a physical punishment is prescribed, it is carried out in a public place, usually outside a
main mosque on Friday, where the criminal’s name and ancestral names are called out loudly for all to hear where the shame is said to be more painful
than the physical blow. Prison sentences, typical for cases involving drugs, are less public. Foreigners convicted of crimes are punished and then deported.
e. The Relative Status of Women and Men
Men have more rights than do women. Women are not allowed to drive; cannot travel abroad without the permission or presence of a male
guardian mahram; are dependent on fathers, brothers, or husbands to conduct almost all their private and public business; and have to wear a veil and remain
out of public view. Women have varying degrees of difficulty moving freely in Arab countries. Some nations prohibit women from ever traveling alone,
while in others women can travel freely but experience a greater risk of sexual harassment or assault than they would in Western countries.
Women have the right to drive in all Arab countries except Saudi Arabia. However, women can own property in their own names and invest
their own money in business deals. Womens status is high in the family,
especially in the roles of mothers and sisters. Significant numbers of women have had high levels of success in academia, literary production, business, and
other fields, yet their achievements go publicly unremarked and they are barred from most aspects of public life. The ability of women to travel or
move freely within Saudi Arabia is severely restricted.
f. Religious Beliefs
All Saudi Arabian citizens are Muslims. Except for a small minority of Shia, Saudi Arabians are Sunni and mainly follow the Handbali school of
Islamic law madhad. Half or more of the immigrants are also Muslims. Non- Muslim faiths are not allowed to practice in Saudi Arabia.
CHAPTER III RESEARCH FINDINGS
A. Gender Discrimination on the Main Characters
