INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS 2
Abstract
The book Princess: A true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia creates a strong
foundational knowledge of communication and cultural patterns within Saudi Arabia. Through
the experiences of the young Saudi Arabian princess, readers can analyze the communication
strategies that take place within the Arab culture. This paper aims to inform readers on the
culture necessary to understand the communication patterns that are present. Additionally,
analyzing the way that Saudi Arabian men and women communicate, and how tradition, family,
and gender dynamics shape the communication theory. Evaluating the different communication
theories presented in the text allows for culture and communication to be connected. Through
cultural research, it is determined how the people of Saudi Arabia communicate, function, and
set the expectations for all members of the culture.
Keywords: culture, communication, family, gender, arranged marriage
INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS 3
Intercultural Analysis of Princess: A true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia
The communication styles presented in the story of a Saudi Arabian woman provided
insightful cultural differences from the American culture. A few topics that impact
communication structure include, but are not limited to, arranged marriage, gender roles, family
dynamics, and culturally significant norms. In analyzing how the Saudi Arabian woman
navigated daily life, and the communication that takes place through their culture, it is evident
that communication plays a larger role in understanding one another than often realized. To fully
understand how communication and culture relate to one another, it is important to lay a
foundation for both communication and culture. The text explanation of human communication
encapsulates this idea seamlessly, explaining that human communication requires many
complexities to fully share our ideas, feelings, and experiences. Human communication is
explained to be a dynamic process of sharing thoughts with others using symbols, varying based
on the given environment and context (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 28). Culture aims to give
their members ways to behave and think that is unique to their specific environment. A few of
characteristics of culture are that it is shared, learned, passed generationally, based on symbols,
and dynamic. Additionally, culture is created based on religion, worldview, history, values,
social organization, and language (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 39).
Arranged Marriage
Arranged marriages are normal family customs within the Saudi Arabian culture,
allowing for families to claim wealth and status of royalty or high value by marrying off their
daughters. Arranged marriages are a necessity for women, rather than a choice, marrying off
young girls after their first blood, when they are considered a woman, claims the status of the
family. Though women are necessary for reproductive reasons and household reasons, most
INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS 4
families are eager for the birth of a male child. At the wedding of an Arab couple, women and
men celebrate separately, and the guests will wish them both many sons, further proving the
cultural importance of male offspring (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 87). As the book states,
there are four significant traits that determine a woman’s marriageability, including family name,
family fortune, beauty, and lack of deformities. When an arranged marriage occurs, the woman is
not to voice any discomfort or feeling against her husband. She is to fulfill her marital duties and
do so without retaliation, as the man has the final say and decision of what is to be done within
the marriage.
Gender Roles
Gender roles are shown often through authority, decision making ability, value, and
influence of a given gender within a given culture (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 81). Gender can
be influenced by clothes, toys, interactions, and religious beliefs. In Islamic religion, women are
expected to be the home keeper and raise the children, they are seen to be uneducated, and weak
(Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 136). Women are not permitted on burial grounds, should a loved
one pass due to the culture of Saudi Arabia. In reading about the life of the female from Saudi
Arabia, it was expressed that women are to remain poised, not vocalize any opinion on worldly
topics, and obey the wishes of their male leaders. Women are not to be educated, think for
themselves, or make their own decisions without outside male influence. At one point, the author
explains that women are seen as the root of all evil, and that women should communicate
through manipulation rather than confrontation. On the other hand, men are seen to be leaders,
are known to be opinionated, and have many more rights. It is said that men have the right to a
divorce without any question or reasoning, where women do not have that right and it is difficult
for a woman to file for separation from her husband. Men also are seen to be always right, the
INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS 5
blame will never be put on a man, and it will almost always be a woman’s fault. This culture
follows a more masculine behavior system, due to the traditional roles of male and female. This
follows the notion that males are to be more assertive, materialistic, and successful, where
women are to be modest and nurturing (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 229).
Family Dynamics
Family is often differentiated in two distinct ways, the first being the family one is born
into, and the second being the family that is formed when a marriage occurs (Beebe &
Masterson, 2020, p. 75). Family dynamics are highly present throughout this reading, giving an
overview of a typical Saudi Arabian royal family lifestyle. One family dynamic that has been
presented numerous times throughout the text is related to the gender roles of a family, where the
men of the house are the only ones to make decisions and input opinions, no matter how old the
male is. In this text, a young boy in the family had final say over his sister’s and mothers wishes,
due solely to being a male. Since the men are expected to provide, protect, and discipline the
women of the house, some boys will take on a fatherly role. It is also noted that men will have
multiple wives that he will rotate between during the weeks, spending an equal amount of time
with each, often to produce more offspring, carrying on a family legacy. This idea of having
multiple wives for offspring supports the family reproductive function as mentioned in the text,
allowing for the family to be sustained for generations as older members pass (Beebe &
Masterson, 2020, p. 78). Family presentation is of the utmost importance, as the image of the
family is to be maintained at high integrity for many reasons. The importance behind family
status within this culture surrounds the ideas of arranged marriages, wealth, status, and mutually
beneficial relationships. The identity and socialization functions elaborate on the concept that the
woman of the Saudi Arabian household is to be the caretaker and teacher, instilling values,
INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS 6
religion, family identity, and worldview on the children of the house (Beebe & Masterson, 2020,
p. 79). Family loyalty is not to be taken lightly, as in Arab families, there is a collective attitude
towards shared work, income, and expenses. There is also a close relationship with Arab parents
and children, as the restrictive rules of their culture require the family dynamic to be collective,
rather than individualistic (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 91). It is also noted in both the textbook
and chosen reading, that the wisdom, experiences, and authority of the elderly are to be respected
and admired (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 93).
Intercultural Communication
Verbal and nonverbal communication are both present within the Saudi Arabian culture,
however, men are more verbal, and women follow a more nonverbal structure. Men choose to
vocalize their opinions and thoughts; women choose to use body language to convey their
opinions and communicate. For example, women are to be dressed in an abaaya dress and wear a
veil, ensuring no flesh is visible to the world. Often women will add expensive eye-catching
decorations to gain attention from males in the street.
Saudi Arabia follows a high-context culture, where there is a significant amount of
similarity amongst the people within the local area (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 220). As noted,
high-context cultures are more traditional, which follows suit to the Arab culture, where there is
traditional customs followed through many generations. Additionally, the collectivism culture of
Saudi Arabia allows for shared interests, tradition, community, and maintaining a specific image,
maintaining the group interest (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 224). The text explains how in a
collectivistic society, like Saudi Arabia, the individual relies on the group, family, tribe, or
organization for support, and in return they will gain loyalty moving forward (Beebe &
Masterson, 2020, p. 224).
INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS 7
According to the text, even though Arab countries fall just about in the middle of the
uncertainty avoidance chart at a rank of 27, the tendencies proven through the chose reading and
text lean towards a higher uncertainty avoidance (Beebe & Masterson, 2020, p. 226). High
uncertainty avoidance tries to limit unpredictability through upholding tradition and resisting
major changes. Some traits of high uncertainty avoidance include a need for laws, rituals,
regulations, and ceremonies to maintain structure and social expectations (Beebe & Masterson,
2020, p. 226).
From a Biblical worldview and perspective, the Saudi Arabian culture follows a conflict
resolution and communication structure like the Biblical teachings in Matthew. Matthew 18:15-
17 states “If your brother sins against you,Dgo and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you haveDgained your brother.DBut if he does not listen, take one or two
others along with you, that every charge may be establishedDby the evidence of two or three
witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them,Dtell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to
the church,Dlet him be to you asDa Gentile andDa tax collector” (English Standard Bible,
2001/2016). The course teachings and chosen reading explain that though people of this culture
are not supposed to be opinionated or confrontational, they are to handle disagreements in a
discrete and private manner, just as presented in Matthew 18.
Conclusion
Overall, the Saudi Arabian culture is significantly different than American culture in
family, gender, marital, and other communication structures. The Saudi Arabian culture
encompasses communication styles that allow their traditions, culture, and religion to prevail. In
order to fully understand the communication style of both men and women in Saudi Arabia, it
may be helpful to read a life story of a male within the same culture, as the female author.
INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS 8
References
Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (2020). Communicating in Small Groups: Principles and
Practices (12th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. ISBN: 9780135694237.
English Standard Bible. (2016). Literal Word. https://esv.literalword.com/ (Original work
published 2001)
Sasson, J. (2012).DPrincess: A true story of life behind the veil in Saudi Arabia.!Atlanta, GA:
Windsor-Brooke Books. ISBN: 978-0-9676737-4-5.
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