Everyday Youth Cultures in the Gulf Peninsula

Focusing on the struggles of youth in the Arabian Gulf to find their place in their encounters with modernity, Everyday Youth Cultures in the Gulf Peninsula explores how global forces are reshaping everyday cultural experiences in authoritarian societies. A deeper understanding of Gulf youth emerges from reading about the everyday lives and struggles, opportunities, and contributions of youth who, in the process of developing their personal identities, are also incrementally transforming their societies and cultures. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, the chapters bring fresh insight into Gulf youth microcultures from the ground and invite dialogue by engaging young local and foreign academics in the discussion. In light of the general difficulties of accessing Gulf societies, the book's nuanced, richly detailed depictions of everyday life can be of interest to academic research in Middle East studies, youth sociology, political science and anthropology, as well as to business and governmental decision-making.

Emanuela Buscemi teaches at the University of Monterrey (Mexico) after being based at the American University of Kuwait. She holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland). Her research interests include activism, resistance, gender politics in the Arabian Gulf and Latin America. Ildikó Kaposi is assistant professor at the Department of Mass Communication and Media of the Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from Central European University, Budapest. Her work focuses on issues of democracy from the perspective of media and communication.

Introduction: Gulf Youth Cultures in the Everyday Part 1. Spaces of Engagement and Contestation - Reshaping Political Participation in Nondemocratic Regimes: Youth Initiatives and Urban Practices in Kuwait - The Saudi YouTube Phenomenon: From Anarchism to Institutionalism - The Amiri Diwan and Kuwait's Cultural Renaissance Part 2. Traditions and Innovations - Engaging Young People in Charity in the State of Kuwait - Youth and Religion in a Landscape of Change: Reflections on Practicing Ibadi-Islam in Oman - When Love is Neither Showing nor Giving: The Challenges of Valentine's Day in Oman Part 3. Sociabilities and Identities - "Facing Life Together": Everyday Friendship and Well-Being among Dubai's Indian Diaspora - Are You What You Eat? The Vegans of Kuwait - "They Know What They Want, and They Don't Settle for Less": Exploring Entrepreneurial Identity Formation among Young Women Entrepreneurs in Kuwait Part 4. Practices of Inclusion in Education - Juvenile Improvisations: Designing for Youth in Abu Dhabi - Islamic Education and Youth Culture: Exploring Tolerance in UAE Islamic Education Classrooms - English Language Poetry and Qatari Students Conclusions