Emirati Women in Dubai

Many stereotypes prevail regarding Arabic women, but what are they really thinking? This book explores the insights and experiences of a small selection of working women in Dubai. Through in-depth interviews, the following themes are examined: the balance between work and family responsibilities, gender issues in the workplace, power relationships for women, coping with restrictions in an Arabic Islamic environment, reasons for work, and sources of influence and satisfaction. The research utilized feminist post-structural theory to collect the data and then analyze and interpret the comments made by the women. This book includes a rich description of the thoughts and concerns of five diverse women who are navigating between traditional culture and a rapidly changing environment. The extent to which the women take up, disrupt and challenge cultural discourses is also explored with a view to suggest ways to improve women's lives. This book will be of interest to people wishing to obtain a deeper, more accurate understanding of an often misrepresented culture on the brink of dynamic change.