Family Life in Oman

Family life in Oman has little to do with how a Western European might imagine family life in an Islamically influenced country. The woman is seen here as a partner of the man, not as his property. Women are expected to be able to earn their own living, although they still play a significant role in raising children today. However, education for girls is regarded by the politics in Oman as equally important as education for boys. A school diploma, higher education, and vocational training are completed by both genders here. Thus, normal family life in Oman has much in common with how it was known in Germany several decades ago.

Family and Religion

Visiting the mosque is a kind of obligation for most families in Oman. While there are partially different prayer rooms for men and women, people go to the mosque together and spend the day together afterward. In general, women in Omani family life are much more equal partners than in many other Arab countries. Fully legally competent, they often contribute significantly to the family income. Additionally, they are responsible for the education of the children. For strong and free children, according to the opinion of theSultan Qaboos, can only be raised by educated and strong women.

Since having many children – as is the case in Oman, which does not differ from the rest of the Arab world – is considered a blessing, women with their family obligations have their hands full over time and are highly respected by their husbands and children for it. Moreover, women also have many rights in family life, including the possibility of divorcing their husbands.

Intergenerational Family Cohesion

Multigenerational houses – what has long fallen out of fashion in Germany is normal in Oman. After a wedding, a man and his wife typically first move into his parents' household. Here, the skills of both man and woman are refined once again; one learns from the 'old' generation. Sometimes the man and woman then go their separate ways when they start their own family, sometimes the multigenerational configuration remains.

This also depends on the cultural background of the family. Among Bedouin families, a different and even stronger cohesion is preached and lived than among Omani families from the large cities of the country. In general, however, family life in Oman is characterized by a great deal of mutual respect. A patriarchal father, as known from other Arab countries who leads the family, is rarely found in the modern Omani family.