middle easterns

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• middle east is approximately the size of the U.S.
• largest population is the arabs
• majority of middle easterners are muslim

Question 2

95%…

Answer 2

-of arabic speaker in middle east are muslim
-americans –> negative stereotype! kamalipour survey found terms most associated w/ MEs:
~oil
~ mean people
~dark skin
~terrorism

Question 3

Middle east language considerations

Answer 3

• arabic is the worlds 6th most common language
• other common languages: kurdish, farsi, turkish, urdu
• arabic has many spoken dialects

Question 4

written or classical..

Answer 4

• arabic is the language of the koran
• koran is considered the ultimate book of style and grammar for arabs
• all muslims must use arabic in their daily prayers
• 29 letters in arabic alphabet
• arabic and farsi are written from right to left

Question 5

health and disabilities

Answer 5

• 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 pride
• reactions: abandonment, overprotection, denial, isolation
• women may not be seen by male doctors

Question 6

in some countries…

Answer 6

• such as afghanistan, disabled considered “helpless”
• some may not go to school or obtain jobs
• families stay home and take care of their disabled family members, and rarely let them make decisions
• disabled– limited rights

Question 7

2016 miriam A. from palestine and lebanon

Answer 7

• aunt in lebanon w/ down syndrome
• there have never been any services
• family takes care of her, does evrything

Question 8

Asmahan M. 2016 (palestine)

Answer 8

• eastern orthodox christian community does not talk about disabilities
• people look down on those w/ disabilities
• if it is an invisible disability like lang impairment very hard to explain

Question 9

middle eastern family life

Answer 9

MIDDLE EAST
-ch brought up to live interdependently 
-identity defined by family achievement
MAINSTREAM U. S. 
-ch raised to be independent
-identity define by indiv. achievement

Question 10

Middle east vs. mainstream

Answer 10

MS
- mother willing for ch to be hugged, picked up
-more flexible about time line fore sleeping, eating , toilet training
-less freedom for independent exploration
MainSt.
-mother more reluctant to be affectionate
-more regulated time schedule
-more freedome for exploration

Question 11

ME vs mainST.

Answer 11

MS
-ch not permitted to make independent decisions
-respect: old age, wisdom spiritual maturity
MainSt.
-ch make more independent decisions; choices
-youth, physical fitness, intelligence

Question 12

other facts

Answer 12

• family is primary focus of loyalty
• arranged marriages are common
• may be inter marriage in some areas
• polygamy in some countries like iran
• patriarchal; father is head of household
• women submit to and serve husbands

Question 13

thoraia A. from yemen 2016

Answer 13

• definitely arranged marriages
• arabs –> lots of emphasis on lineage and tribal background
• even if a family has a lot of $$, if they are from a lower lineage, marriage to someone from a higher lineage is forbidden

Question 14

male children…

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

Neeka G. 2016 Iran

Answer 15

• boys are on pedestals –> they grow up spoiled and careless
• her bro simply refused to speak out in class or to authority figures –> they thought he was delayed

Question 16

Mariam A. from lebenon/ palestine/yemen

Answer 16

• premarital sex is VERY shameful for the entire family -> forever
• a young lady just wouldn’t even dream of it

Question 17

sharifzadeh

Answer 17

• fathers–> very little responsibility for infants and young ch
• “Men view themselves as responsible for providing the material necessities and for making major arrangements but do not engage in day-to-day caregiving…” (p. 412-413)

Question 18

cultural customs and courtesies

Answer 18

• conservative countries: iran, syria, saudi arabia
• liberal countries: turkey, lebanon, pakistan
• sheriat: legal system based on koran
• hospitality: very high priority

Question 19

left hand..

Answer 19

• considered unclean
• in some areas, women must be covered from head to toe in public
• in some areas, women cannot leave home or speak w/ strangers w/o their husbands permission

Question 20

http://www.theweek.co.uk/middle-east/60339/eleven-things-women-in-saudi-arabia-cant-do

Answer 20

• go anywhere w/o a male chaperone
• drive a car
• vote in elections?
• swim
• compete freely in sports
• try on clothes while shopping

Question 21

communication styles

Answer 21

• men an 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

Question 22

poets…

Answer 22

• held high esteem in arab societies
• people stand close during conversations
• its acceptable to tune out during conversations

Question 23

education and literacy

Answer 23

• many U.S. arabs are highly educated
• more than 40% have a bachelors degree or higher compared w. 24% of the general population
• literacy rates vary widely among arab nations

Question 24

neeka G. Iran 2016

Answer 24

• she’d get a 95% on a test, and her dad would say “what happened to the other 5%?”
• dad: being an SLP is sill -> its just about books and toys

Question 25

literacy may not be as high as a priority

Answer 25

• for women and girls
• and co-ed school are very uncommon in many MEs countries
• in the U.S parents may be uncomfortable w/ freedom allowed to girls

Question 26

implication for SLPs

Answer 26

• approximately 100 arabs SLPs worldwide
• families may be uncomfortable receiving outside assistance
• families might not be familiar w/ SLPs and our services

Question 27

asmahan n. 2016

Answer 27

• she was going to be a doc and her mom was mad she wanted to be SLP
• mom felt better when ashamed showed her A&P book

Question 28

show…

Answer 28

• respect; dress formally, sit w/ good posture
• ch may develop self help skills later
• female professionals should not shake hands w/ male family members
• arabs have great respect for edu.; try to let them know your credentials
• arabs may be late for or not keep appointments

Question 29

case history..

Answer 29

• fathers might not tolerate being questioned by a female interviewer
• speak to father first
• male family member may make tx decisions, but mother will be responsible for carrying them out
• shame denial about children disabilities are common

Question 30

follow up…

Answer 30

• w/ families –> they may outwardly agree to carry out recommendations, but not do it , they believe disagreeing is rude
• middle east may be viewed as ethnocentric. refer fam to their countries of origin

Question 31

former students shared

Answer 31

• taught gymnastics locally; middle eastern mom would drop off her autistic ch for lessons
• mom so embarrassed to be associated w/ son that she waiting in car

Question 32

Amber A. (former student)

Answer 32

-her father, a doctor “why do you need to get educated? you’re a woman! you are just going to get married and have babies”

Question 33

Afeefa Mikbel; former student; Palestinian Muslim/Arab American

Answer 33

Wears a hijab – has been called a terrorist
“go back to where you came from”
Kids followed her home from school
She was terrified to go to lunch – mom had to come and pick her up

Question 34

remember

Answer 34

• parents are very protective of their daughters more than sons
• For delicate issues, involve Imam, someone else from mosque