Graduation Date
1983
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Arts
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Paul Crosbie
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Jerrald D. Krause
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. James W. Carroll
Keywords
Art
Subject Categories
Art
Abstract
Saudi Arabia was founded by the late King Abdulaziz in 1932. At that time it started to be known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whereas it had been known by various names before. At that time Saudi Arabia began a new era. By far the most far reaching event in the recent history of the country was the discovery of oil. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia occupies about four-fifths of the Arabian peninsula, with an unofficial estimated population of 7 million, and an area of just about 2,300,000 square kilometers “nearly 900,000 square miles", (Stacey International , 1977 ). Saudi Arabia is bounded on the north by Jordan and Iraq, on the south by Oman and Yemeni (South and North Yemeni), on the east by the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the Arabian Gulf. On the west, it is bounded by the Red Sea, so it is strategically located between Africa and mainland Asia, and has frontiers on the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea (Lipsky, 1959). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is divided into five administrative regions, which include the central province, which is known as Najd, and Riyadh its Capitol. The eastern province is where the oil field is located, with Dammam as its Capitol. The western province, Al-Hijaz, on the coast of the Red Sea, 2 included the two holy cities, Mecca and Medina, and Jiddah is its Capitol. The southern province is Asir, and its Capitol is Abha. The north province, Saudi Arabia, does not have permanent rivers or lakes. Saudi Arabia’s climate in general is hot and dry. During the long summer months midday temperatures may reach 120 degrees farenheit. Saudi Arabia began a new stage of development since the discovery of oil. Oil revenue has given the country a power it would not otherwise have enjoyed. Over the years there had occurred an essential and tangible change in the living conditions of the people, and some achievement in the field of development. But in the last fifteen years, and as a result of the huge increase in both the production and the price of the oil, the country's wealth rose to a high level, which had the effect of increasing the development potential in Saudi Arabia, as well as vastly improving the lot of the people, who were now able to afford all sorts of luxuries they had not known before. Lipsky (1959) commented on the luxuries and said, "Oil has had a great political, economic, and social impact on Saudi Arabia. Future changes are certain to be even more profound. The difference between the traditional order and what is taking place is very great; and, for the present at least, change is occurring more rapidly here than in any other country in the Middle East." 3 This social change in Saudi Arabia was brought about by a variety of things. The economic situation attracted many people, from the Middle East countries, from European countries, from America, and from Asia. All of these people are taking part in Saudi development, and with their families' life styles they effect the pattern of life in the Saudi family. So we can say that the wealth in Saudi Arabia brought in the outside influences, and a change occurred which was swift and far- reaching. The concern of the development of human resources in the Kingdom led the country to the realization that a considerable share of the national revenue needed to be allocated to education. The plan was to raise the level of education so that the extensive projects planned would be carried out by capable and knowledgeable people. The government spent a huge share from the national income every year, and many schools have been opened in every area in the Kingdom. With the increase of wealth in the country many innovations have been introduced affecting the society and the family life pattern. The people have more money to spend, which enables them to travel to neighboring Middle Eastern countries, or to Europe, the United States, and Canada. These people make contact with different ways of life which inevitably effect their old way of 4 living. This study will attempt to explore all these factors, and to show the far-reaching consequences of them in Saudi Arabia. To quote Robert E. Looney (1982): "There are a number of additional reasons why an examination of Saudi Arabia economy at this time should be of particular interest. No country in the world has seen so much development activity in the last ten years as had Saudi Arabia. Needless to say, the rapid structural changes which have taken place and will continue to occur in the near future are the result of the post - 1973 oil boom.“ Saudi Arabia has in recent years undergone radical changes. These changes have been precipitated by the income generated through the oil industry. The result has been a higher standard of living for all citizens. The increase in wealth in turn has resulted in many changes in the society. The purpose of this study is to examine effects of change and attitudes toward change. Specifically, changes in income, contact with foreign cultures, and education are examined. Of particular interest is the effect of change on the family, culture, religion, and life style.
Recommended Citation
Almunahi, Mohammad K. H., "Effects of Change and Attitudes Toward Change in Saudi Arabia" (1983). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2384.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2384