The Effects of Westernization on the Position of Egyptian Women and the Arabic Language

Throughout history, the Egyptian society and culture have been exposed to various foreign influences such as the British and French cultures, and foreigners living in Egypt but seldom to that of the Egyptians. In the award-winning book “Whatever Happened to the Egyptians?” by Dr. Galal Amin the reader is provided with a good overview of the societal changes that have occurred in Egypt during the last 50 years. Dr. Amin focuses on the massive changes that occurred in the Egyptian society such as westernization, the position of women, migration, and the Arabic language since the 1952 military coup or July Revolution up until the year 2000 during Mubarak’s reign. He attributed much of the change in Egypt’s society to the expansion of the middle class starting during Nasser’s reign, but accelerating under Sadat’s rule and his Open Door policy. The westernization of the Egyptian society led to the integration of women into the Egyptian patriarchal society, the emancipation of Egyptian women deteriorating the Arabic language, and decreasing its importance. Before the westernization of Egypt, Egyptian women were viewed as subordinate and unequal to men. Before the 1952 military coup d’état freeing Egypt from British occupation and monarchy, women of the Egyptian elite class were merely seen as dolls; they dressed glamorously, attended social events and gatherings, and got married to wealthy men of the elite class. To portray the change in the status of women from the 1950s to 2000, Dr. Amin uses a personal yet interesting indicator of how this took place. He compares three different generations of women, his grandmother probably (born in the early 1900s), his sister (probably born in the 60s), and his daughter (probably born in the late 70s). Dr. Amin discusses how his grandmother had no education, no job, and only had two roles in life: being a mother and a housewife. He also states that the relationship between his grandmother and grandfather was more of a father-daughter relationship as opposed to that of a married couple. Then he moves on to his sister’s generation, during which women received school and university level education after which some women decided to work and some did not. Finally, he talks about his daughter’s generation during which women had received education, had jobs, received salaries, and still maintained the role of being mothers.

Women of the Egyptian society achieved their emancipation when they became a part of Egypt’s patriarchal society. Women of recent generations paved the way for the liberation and emancipation of women by getting an education, becoming employed, and attaining the respect of men. Women are no longer solely dependent on men for economic and social security, women now work and receive salaries which makes them decision makers in their households. The emancipation of women resulted in more respectful and civilized relationships between women and their husbands. Dr. Amin states, “ … the relationship that once resembled a military or a political relationship is now characterized by greater affection –or at least a greater demonstration of it- and more mutual respect.” The role of women did not stop at that, more recently Egyptian women began to hold key positions in the government, private companies, and international organizations. For example, H.E Ms. Fayza Aboulnaga the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, H.E Ms. Mouchira Khattab an Egyptian Ambassador and many more examples. It is clear that the role of Egyptian women in the society has evolved since they now participate in riots and revolutions and that this evolution will not be ending soon.