The third edition focuses on transformations in Arab societies and the interplay between modernization’s demands and the foundations of cultural identity.
TRENDS Observatory, part of TRENDS Group, has released the third issue of its specialized knowledge magazine, Societal Dimensions, titled The Interaction Between Modernity and Identity in Arab Society: A Study of Sociological and Educational Dimensions. The edition examines contemporary social and educational issues, focusing on transformations in Arab societies and the interplay between modernization’s demands and the foundations of cultural identity.
The magazine serves as a specialized knowledge platform that analyzes social and economic transformations and presents scholarly perspectives that deepen understanding of changes in contemporary societies and anticipate their future trajectories. It also aims to help researchers, specialists, and policymakers address emerging societal issues.
The new issue features four main sections covering family and intergenerational values; the psychology of addiction and loneliness in the digital age; behavioral phenomena associated with bullying among children and adolescents; and social development, social support, and the economic empowerment of vulnerable groups. These topics are examined through scholarly analysis, applied case studies, and comparative assessments of Arab experiences.
Key Themes in Social and Educational Transformation
The first section – Family Affairs and Relationships – examines changing values across generations. It explores how people reinterpret and reprioritize social and cultural values amid rapid societal change. It also examines how digital mediation and technology shape value transformations through three key dimensions: material and economic contexts, family and educational frameworks, and social and institutional realities. An applied case study further explores how authority and autonomy are negotiated within the contemporary family.
The second section – The Psychology of Addiction and Society – focuses on loneliness in the age of connectivity. It examines the paradox between the expansion of digital communication and the growing sense of loneliness and social isolation among Arab youth. It also discusses several concepts associated with digital interaction, including the social displacement hypothesis, social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and parasocial relationships. It also reviews internet penetration indicators across Gulf countries and presents applied examples and case studies from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The third section – General Behavioral Phenomena – addresses bullying among children and adolescents. It examines bullying as a phenomenon associated with power dynamics, stigmatization, and exclusion within peer groups, school environments, and digital spaces. The section presents a comparative analysis of statistical indicators and forms of school bullying and cyberbullying across several Arab countries, focusing on the Gulf region, particularly the UAE, as well as Jordan. It highlights the importance of comprehensive responses based on prevention, awareness, and early intervention to protect children and adolescents in both physical and digital environments.
The fourth section – Development and Social Support – explores the social and economic empowerment of vulnerable groups. Drawing on economist and philosopher Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach, which emphasizes expanding individual choices and strengthening people’s ability to participate actively in society, the section examines ways to move beyond providing assistance and social care toward capacity-building and broader economic participation. It draws on applied case studies from three Arab countries.
In Jordan, the section examines the Takaful Unified Cash Support Program and its associated empowerment pathways. In Saudi Arabia, it addresses empowerment for social security beneficiaries, freelance work programs, and the Social Development Bank’s role. In the UAE, it highlights the Social Support and Empowerment Program and efforts to strengthen readiness for sustainable employment.
The section concludes by identifying key foundations for a sustainable model of social and economic empowerment, linking social protection with employment, financial inclusion, and the green economy. It also emphasizes developing impact-measurement governance mechanisms to improve program effectiveness and ensure sustainable outcomes.
A Knowledge-Based Vision
The magazine’s editorial introduction emphasizes that this issue reflects TRENDS Observatory’s commitment to combining scholarly rigor with clear, accessible analysis. It aims to help researchers, policymakers, and interested readers better understand the causes, implications, and future trajectories of social phenomena.
The issue also reflects the magazine’s approach of connecting theoretical analysis with practical application by examining issues affecting families, youth, educational environments, and social protection. In doing so, it seeks to support the development of perspectives and approaches that respond to societal transformations and contribute to strengthening family and social cohesion across the Arab world.
