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Abstract
This open-access Handbook of Families in the Arab Gulf States offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary analysis of the profound transformations affecting family life across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Bahrain. The volume successfully collates and advances scholarship on Gulf families, moving beyond previous Western-centric or Middle East-generalist perspectives to address the region's unique socio-economic, cultural, and political context. The collection is divided into thematic sections focusing on the intersection of globalization and deeply entrenched traditions. Key areas explored include shifts in family formation, marriage, and fertility dynamics, with dedicated chapters on the rapid decline in family size, the enduring practice of consanguineous marriage, and the impact of the digital age on partner selection. Furthermore, the Handbook provides an analytical look at evolving gender roles, covering topics such as the distribution of household labor, the role of domestic workers (Al-Khadam), and the gender gap in STEM fields. Crucially, the volume examines the influence of family policies, economic diversification, migration, and the widespread adoption of social media like TikTok on the structure and function of the contemporary Gulf family. By highlighting both continuity and change, the Handbook serves as an essential resource for academics and policymakers seeking a holistic understanding of this rapidly evolving social institution.
Keywords. Arab gulf families; Gender roles; Fertility Dynamics; International migration; Social change.
JEL. D10; F22; J12; J13; 51; J81; K36.
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