DIFI Funds and Initiates Comprehensive Book on Arab Family Studies

Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) - a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) – has launched a book on Arab family studies containing the contributions of 28 eminent scholars, with the aim of addressing the gap in global knowledge on the Arab family.

The book, titled ‘Arab Family Studies, Critical Review’ – which is edited by Dr. Suad Joseph, Distinguished Research Professor of Anthropology and Gender, and Women's Studies, at the University of California, and published by Syracuse University - was initiated and funded by DIFI in 2013.

The publication provides a comprehensive literature review that discusses the major theories, methods, and case studies of Arab families over the past century, while offering a country-by-country critical assessment of available scholarship on Arab families.

Commenting on DIFI’s role in producing the book, Noor Al Malki Al Jehani, Executive Director, DIFI, said: “The publication of this book is a testament to the commitment of DIFI to encouraging research on Arab families.

“By initiating and funding this book, DIFI has successfully made a significant contribution to the study of Arab families. This title will be invaluable for researchers and students of Arab families.”

Of the book’s 24 chapters, 17 review literature that is classified according to Arab regions and countries, while the remaining seven focus on the main topics related to families in all Arab countries.  They also provide insight into issues such as feminism, migration, Islamic law, education, media, demography, and war, in the context of the Arab family.

The book addresses the importance of clarifying the concept of ‘the family’ and the difficulties surrounding this definition, as well as the challenging aspect of developing unifying concepts that collectively address the dynamics within and among diverse types of Arab families.

It thoroughly researches existing scholarship on families throughout the Arab region, and attempts to lay a foundation for future studies on Arab families and inform the decisions of policy-makers and planners. The book also aims to facilitate additional scholarly research on Arab families, and encourage government and non-governmental decision-makers to invest resources in such socially-relevant topics. 

Despite the centrality of the family in Arab societies, research on the topic is underdeveloped, leading to DIFI making efforts to stimulate more research on families through initiatives such as initiating and funding this book project.