Iraq Vs America

The customs of Iraq and the United States, or in more general terms the western world, have their differences. Elizabeth experienced trouble adjusting to the Iraqi culture, and many individuals in Iraq had trouble understanding the hers. Fatima, a woman of El Nahra, suffers as we all do, from ethnocentrism, believing that her culture is “the right one.” The first set of customs that Fatima believes are superior relate to marriage. In the United States, it is my opinion that marriages are seen as a desired partnership versus a necessity. In Iraq it is the opposite. For Iraqi women, marriage is seen as a necessity, and a protection. Iraqi men fulfill the role of providing resources, and in turn, the “model wife stayed at home, cared for her children and for her house, prepared good food for her husband and his guests, and kept out of sight of strangers.” (Fernea 781) Also in regard to marriage is the veiling of women. Many in the western world have seen the veil as a restriction
Many in Iraq for example, do not see it this way. Veiling is seen as a protection versus a restriction. The veil protects a woman’s purity, the sanctity of a marriage, and a family’s honor. If a woman was to be uncovered, they believe that the opportunity for infidelity is great. The families honor would be tarnished if the woman were to have an affair or ruin her purity. Elizabeth herself was asked by her husband to wear the veil. Women cover themselves in El Nahra because “an uncovered woman is an immoral woman.” (113) This custom is completely different than the Kung. Women in El Nahra are completely covered while the Kung are nearly naked. In El Nahra, and many other veiling cultures, women are veiled in order to ensure the lineage, honor, and bloodline. By veiling women the men of El Nahra are preserving honor to the family, and having certainty that the children belong to the father, therefore preserving the family