Turkey and Saudi Arabia Similarities and Differences

Turkey and Saudi Arabia Similarities and DifferencesToday we atomic number 18 going to discuss the similarities and differences amongst two societies, Turkish and Saudi Arabian, from the cultural and moral point of view. for the first time it is important to get familiar with these definitions.Culture is the way of life, sh ard beliefs, values, customs and behaviours, that the members of parliamentary law use to fuck with their world and with one another, and that ar transmitted from generation to generation through learning.Norms specify the type of behaviour that is considered appropriate and normal in a society. For example, norms of pose give guidelines on what to assume. Norms are set of rules that go from society to society. A change in society leads to new ways of behaving and therefore culture and norms are always changing.Values are general rules and principles that tell us what is good, important and worth striving for in our society. Values lay down general prin ciples and guidelines. discrimination concerns differences in access to scarce resources when one root is better positioned than the other in society. Social inequality involves voting rights, freedom of speech, education and many more. Inequality is present in any society, even if it is said that all members in society are equal. twain countries share similar history, culture and values. Religion in particular plays a big part in peoples lives. The major religion is Islam, the second largest religion in the world. In Saudi Arabia, Islam is the only officially accepted religion and other religions in the country are not tolerated. Turkey is more democratic in this way. While in Turkey state and church are separated, religion in Saudi Arabia influences every aspect of social and political life. Even the legal system is based on sharia (Islamic) law. The forms of penalty in this country are, according to some organizations, against human rights. For example, theft is punish quali fied by amputation of the right hand. welt is way of punishment for offenses against religion, drunkenness and gambling. The death penalty is the highest form of punishment in the country and is use for a range of convictions including the distribution of drugs from abroad. The death sentence was similarly practiced in Turkey, but it has since been rock-bottom to thirty years imprisonment. Homosexuality is strictly forbidden in both societies (a view strongly cogitate to religious beliefs), and is punishable by lashing, prison or death.Inequality, in both societies, is most distinguished between men and women. Saudi women suffer discrimination in a range of areas within their daily lives. For example, women are not allowed to drive cars or ride bicycles on public roads and the driving age of 25 is one of the highest in the world. Saudi Arabia is also one of the four remaining countries that have not allow women the right to vote. Women cannot travel abroad without the allowan ce or presence of a male guardian (mahram), and also have to be accompanied by a close male from the family (father or brothers) when outside of house. As chastity and sexual modesty are very highly valued, women can be arrested for socializing with a man who is not a relative and may be charged with prostitution. In public, dancing, playing medication and showing movies is forbidden. Women make up just 5% of the workforce in Saudi Arabia, which is the lowest simile in the world. A womans status within the family is high, especially in the roles of mother and sister. However, their rights may continue to be restricted, for example, it is believed that women should stay at home, caring for their husbands and youngsterren. Most marriages are arranged and polygamy is permitted up to four wives.Similar attitudes towards women had existed in Turkey, but in 1926 new reforms brought changes to the position of women in society. Polygamy was abolished and it is very rare nowadays. Along w ith religious marriages and divorce, child custody became the right of both women and men. Education levels of women have increased since the reforms and many Turkish women are able to access education, have jobs and careers. The right to vote was granted in 1930.Although the position of women outside of family has changed significantly, inside it carcass more or less the same. Husbands remain at the head of family and woman must have their permission to work or their approval if going out. Both Saudi Arabian and Turkish societies place enormous value on the family and take their responsibilities seriously. Families tend to be large and the extended family remains close.Significant inequality also exists between women from different sectors of societies. Women in these two states have different life styles and rights. For example, abortion in Turkey is legal up to ten weeks, while in Saudi Arabia it remains illegal, except in situations where the mothers life may be at risk.The no rms for public behaviour in Saudi Arabia are extremely conservative. To ensure that these standards of conduct are observed, the Saudi religious police can arrest foreigners for improper dress and other alleged infractions, such as consumption of alcoholic beverage. Turkish women no longer have to wear the veils and long garments, whereas in Saudi Arabia it is still required by the old religious beliefs. While alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia, it is allowed in Turkey. In Turkey, Friday is considered a normal working day, regardless of the accompaniment that to Muslims it is considered a dedicated day. Saudi Arabians continue to acknowledge this tradition most shops and other public places are closed on Friday and individuals practice their prayers. All Muslims pray five times a day and during the holy month of Ramadan they must fast from dawn to dusk (this includes eating, drinking and smoking). According to Islam, the left hand is considered uncleanly and reserved for persona l hygiene.To conclude, Turkey is now considered a secular state, the first ever Islamic society to be considered as such. In contrast, Saudi Arabias unique culture makes marks it as a distinguished Islamic country. People in these countries are extremely proud of their culture, heritage and nationality.BibliographyM. Haralambos and M. Holborn (2008) Sociology , Themes and Perspectiveshttp//marketing.about.com/od/marketingglossary/g/normsdef.htmhttp//www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/ humanistic discipline/anthropology/courses/122/module1/culture.htmlhttp//travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1012.htmlhttp//www.enjoyturkey.com/info/culture.htmhttp//www.eastwestinquirer.com/Islamic%20Turkey%20Versus%20Islamist%20Saudi%20Arabia.htm