Are you ready to hear the truth about Saudi Arabia?

Ok, this is my question, are you really ready to hear the truth about Saudi arabia, and the Saudi people? if your answer is yes, then read on.
As an American who has lived here for the past 19 years, and one who has lived in the U.S for the previous years, i know what Americans are thinking about Saudi's and i know the stereotypes they have in mind.

Lets see if I can get this right---you think Saudi's, esp men are terrorists, you think they ride camels and live in tents, you think that all Saudi men marry many wives and beat them? you think that the average Saudi woman is pregnant all the time and does not leave her home? Oh, here is one i heard from an American woman years ago---she said if a husband and wife are out together in public and he falls down, his wife is not allowed to help him up, another good one---the woman here walks several paces behind her husband.

Now lets get to the part where i clear up the misconcenptions. No, the men here are not terrorists with the exception of a very small number whom the rest of the population condem and turn in if they have the chance. I wonder--would American men be considered terrorists since they are famous for killing their wives and unborn kids, shooting kids in schools, malls, restaurants, churches? No, we would not think to judge every american man by the heinous crimes of a few. But why then are we ready to judge every saudi man based on what a few have done?

On to the next questoin, no, saudi people for the most part don;t live in tents or drive camels. They live in modern homes which are usually much nicer than the average american home (by the way), they drive luxury vehicles such as mercedez, bmw, audi (among the favorites here), but they also drive toyota, gmc, ford just like the average american.

As for beating wives---that is unacceptable in Islam so if he does it, he will be punished for it. I saw a public service announcement on a u.s. channel that said the leading cause of death for pregnant american woman is death at the hands of her husband or boyfriend. Just think about how many pregnant women have been killed by their american husbands or boyfriends, just recently a pregnant marine woman was killed by her boyfriend. One of many!

Yes, saudi families in general have many more children than the average western family,they also welcome their elderly parents to live with them or a relative who needs help. I feel that this is one reason the suicide and depression rate is soo low here compared to u.s., when a child comes home from school, he or she does not enter an empty home as many of American kids do. Picture a child coming home from school in saudi arabia, he walks into the home and sees his baby sister, brother, a housekeeper, maybe grandmother, or maybe mom, he won;t have time to get depressed, or get into trouble with all of those eyes watching him. People here in Saudi (generally) welcome their extended family to live with them when needed. This idea of taking care of extended family is a great benefit to the society because everyone is well taken care of, you don;t have people wandering around town in an alcholic stupor. Everyone here feels valued whether they be babies or elderly.

How does the average saudi woman spend her time? she has a choice to work or not to work, many women here do work as teachers (getting off at 1 pm), doctors, business people and many other occupations. If she chooses to stay home then she does and usually has a maid to help her. I have come to this conclusion: Saudi women have it much better in life than the average american woman who works two jobs, one outside and one inside the home, why do u think the rate of cancer and heart disease is soo high among American women versus Saudi women?

Last but not least, do Saudi women walk several paces behind their husbands? Only if he's a fast walker and she's taking her time to enjoy the view! That notion is not even part of Saudi culture--perhaps you were confusing them with another culture. Many Saudi husbands and wives walk holding hands and talking, many walk with several kids between them, many walk together in silence just as American husbands and wives do. The role model for Saudi men( and all Muslim men) is Prophet Mohammed (may peace be upon him), and this role model always had the upmost value for women and treated them as valued and treasured members of society. He condoned treating women with the most kindness and respect. Any man who aspires to be at least half as good to women as Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was, would indeed be a great and well loved husband.

Any questions are welcome.