MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE AND LANGUAGES: IMPLCATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

1. MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE AND LANGUAGES: IMPLCATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

4. Arab Countries

5. Some information taken from:** • Sharifzadeh, V-S. (2011). Families with Middle Eastern roots. In Lynch & Hanson, Developing cross-cultural competence: A guide to working with young children and their families (4th ed.). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.

6. I. INTRODUCTION** *Middle East is approximately the size of the U.S. *Largest population group is the Arabs *Majority of Middle Easterners are Muslim

7. Temple in Iraq

8. Temple in Turkey

10. Statistics show…** • In 2010, the median household income for all of the U.S. was $51,914; for Arab households, the median was $56,433. • In 2006-2010 (in the U.S.), 49.6% of households had married couples; 55.7% of Arab households

11. II. MIDDLE EAST LANGUAGE CONSIDERATIONS** • Arabic is the world’s sixth most common language • Other common languages: Kurdish, Farsi, Turkish, Urdu • Arabic has many spoken dialects

12. Written or classical Arabic is the language of the Koran** • The Koran is considered the ultimate book of style and grammar for Arabs • All Muslims must use Arabic in their daily prayers • 29 letters in the Arabic alphabet • Arabic and Farsi are written from right to left

13. Remember…** • Page ___Arab info is not on the exam

14. III. HEALTH AND DISABILITIES** Family intermarriage is linked to a large number of childhood disorders found in Arab countries • Disabled child: mother feels shame and guilt; father views as defeat, blemish on family’s pride • Reactions: abandonment, overprotection, denial, isolation • Women may not be seen by male doctors

16. Sharifzadeh 2011:

17. IV. MIDDLE EASTERN FAMIY LIFE:** Constrasting Values and Practices Middle East Mainstream U.S. Ch brought up Ch raised to live interdependently to be independent Identity defined by Identity defined family achievement by indiv. achvt.

19. Ch not permitted Ch make** to make independent more independent decisions decisions; choices Respect: old age, Respect: wisdom, spiritual youth, physical maturity fitness, intelligence

20. B. Other Facts** • Family is primary focus of loyalty • Arranged marriages are common • May be intermarriage in some areas • Polygamy in some countries like Iran • Patriarchal; father is head of household • Women submit to and serve husbands

21. Male children preferred over female children** • Boys encouraged to think of themselves as superior to girls • Girls may stop education after elementary; boys are expected to excel

22. Sharifzadeh 2011:

23. V. CULTURAL CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES** • Conservative countries: Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia • Liberal countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Pakistan • Sheriat--legal system based on Koran • Hospitality very high priority

24. Sharing a meal in Saudi Arabia

25. Left hand considered unclean** • In some areas, women must be covered from head to toe in public • In some areas, women cannot leave home or speak with strangers without their husband’s permission

26. Women in Afghanistan

27. Afghan women begging for food

28. VI. COMMUNICATION STYLES** • Men and women may not make eye contact or even socialize together in public • Speaking loudly is acceptable • Arabs try to speak eloquently and creatively; a communication disorder has very negative consequences

29. Poets held in very high esteem in Arab societies** • People stand close during conversations • It’s acceptable to tune out during conversations

30. VII. EDUCATION AND LITERACY*** • Many U.S. Arabs are highly educated • More than 40% have a Bachelor’s degree or higher compared with 24% of the general population • Literacy rates vary widely among Arab nations

31. Literacy may not be as high a priority…

32. VIII. IMPLICATIONS FOR SLPs** • There are approximately 100 Arab SLPs worldwide • Families may be uncomfortable receiving outside assistance • In therapy, it’s appropriate and positive to use stories or conversations that report the sayings or actions of Mohammed

33. Show respect; dress formally, sit w/ good posture** • Children may develop self-help skills later • Female professionals should not shake hands w/ male family members • Arabs have great respect for education; try to let them know your credentials • Arabs may be late for or not keep appointments

34. Speak to father first** • Case history--fathers might not tolerate being questioned by a female interviewer • Male family member may make tx decisions, but mother will be responsible for carrying them out • Shame, denial about children’s disabilities are common

35. Follow up with families--they may outwardly agree to carry out recommendations, but not do it--they believe disagreeing is rude** • Remember that the term “Middle East” may be viewed as ethnocentric. Try to refer to families according to their countries of origin.

36. A former student shared that…** • She taught gymnastics locally; a Middle Eastern mom would drop off her autistic child for lessons • The mom so embarrassed to be associated w/ son that she waited in car

37. Former student Amber A:** • senior in this class • Her father, a doctor, said “Why do you need to get educated? You’re a woman! You are just going to get married and have babies.”

38. Former student Nunira Wadiwala spring (from Pakistan)

39. Nunira shared that…** • Acceptable for parents to slap, spank their children • Dress modestly • Address father first in meetings

40. Afeefa Mikbel; former student; Palestinian Muslim/Arab American