Private and Cultural Dynamics of Modern Egypt

Traditionally in Egyptian culture the activities of men and women were separate from each other but in modern day Egypt many of the traditional ways have been diminishing. The majority of the Egyptian population lives in larger cities where apartments are the most common place to live. A standalone house is hard to come by due to the space limitations and the cost. These apartments are usually one large room for entertaining guests and a few smaller rooms that serve as the private living quarters. Traditionally women would stay in the private section of the apartment unless the family is entertaining a good friend and even then would not be allowed to be alone in a room with another man that was not their husband. Now days those rules are not followed as much and since the mid 1900’s women have found themselves working in all aspects of Egyptian life. In recent years the traditional dress code of Islam has been making a comeback with women although there is no law to say they have to wear these kinds of clothing. 

Public education is free for children, both boys and girls, and secondary education is also available for those who want it. Many children who do not go to college end up taking on an apprenticeship of some sort or attend a vocational school of some sort. In relation to America, it is a very similar system but as a child nears their end of basic education there is a test they take that will determine what subjects they can go on to study at a university and also determines which universities they are allowed to attend. In smaller villages around the country the traditional way of life is still followed with men working, women taking care of the household and children following in their parents footsteps. In these types of settings the modern way of life is not as prominent as in the major cities; cooking and baking of any sort is done by the women and education is limited. 

The differences between cities and villages are very drastic. Large cities, such as Cairo, are built like any western metropolis city. They have large buildings and most of the population live in apartments of some kind. Small villages are built in a more traditional way with single story buildings and houses. Vocations in these villages are traditional, in a sense, where they grow and forage for much of their own food but because Egypt is almost %90 barren desert most of the population live in or near large cities. 

sources:

http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Du-Ha/Egyptian-Americans.html

http://www.laits.utexas.edu/cairo/modern/life/life.html