Effect of modernization on Kuwaiti women

This research explores the effects of rapid modernization on women who, on one hand, have new educational and occupational opportunities and, on the other hand, still confront conservative societal restrictions based on Middle Eastern norms and values. The setting is the Sheikdom of Kuwait, symbolizing a traditional society that has been recently catapulted into the 20th century through its rapid increase in wealth. Such sudden wealth, with ensuing modernization, is expected to have more profound effects on women because of their paradoxical world with its conflicting norms and values. This study explores the relationship between a number of modernization variables--levels of education and occupation--on potential stress. Indicators for stress used are based on Inkeles' cross-cultural studies and psychosomatic complaints. In addition, the study considered levels of powerlessness, happiness and decision making in the family. Spearman correlations and Kendall's Tau were used to determine relationships. Results indicate that women who have obtained more education tend to participate significantly more in decision making in the family (P less than 0.0001), be happier (P less than 0.000), manifest fewer psychosomatic complaints (P less than 0.05), and be older in age. The younger generation, with less education, appears to manifest more somatic complaints. The manuscript discusses results in relation to Inkeles' previous cross-cultural research on men and implication of findings on changing roles of women in Kuwait.