Modernization and socialization: muslim family institution in Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

This study investigates the changes that are taking place in the Muslim family institution in Sudan as a result of modernisation. The study determines the relationship between modernisation and socialisation within Muslim families in Khartoum as a case study. It looks at modernisation from the perspective of education and the involvement of women in the workforce, their sexual liberalization and religiosity. The study is primarily descriptive in nature making use of the survey method. For the purpose of this study, the survey instrument is a self-administered questionnaire that is developed to collect data. A total of 300 respondents from 100 families is chosen. The results suggest that most of the respondents carry out their role of nurturing children and inculcating Islamic values in them with emphasis on respecting elders and promoting modesty. The results also reveal an inverse relationship between sexual liberalization and socialisation with the Pearson Correlation of -.308, indicating that sexual liberalization has a negative impact on the way Muslims perform their family functions, maintain their familial relations and promote the Islamic pattern of behaviour. In terms of education, the study reveals a negative correlation, suggesting that the role of women in preserving the nature and structure of a Muslim family could be adversely affected. The study sheds some light on how some indicators of modernisation influence the socialisation process of the Sudanese Muslims in Khartoum.