标题：
GCC Youth Survey Report
作者：
Bayly Winder
来源：
Middle East Policy, Vol. XXVII, No. 3, Fall 2020
导言：
This report analyzes data collected from a survey designed to better understand how young people from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries feel about culture, identity and society. This is a region where the population is young and change has happened at a dramatic pace in recent decades. Many young GCC nationals are well-traveled, tech-savvy and Westernized. They lead lifestyles that are fundamentally different from those of their parents and grandparents and are exposed to ideas that often clash with traditional Gulf values. The generational shifts taking place right now are dramatic. The Gulf is a very tradition-oriented environment, and an individual’s actions and attitudes are viewed as a reflection of both one’s family and tribe. Reputation matters a great deal in Gulf society; for the younger generation, the pressure to conform can be intense. Individualism can be a tricky proposition, and the stigma around acting in an open-minded fashion can be severe. One motivation for creating this survey is the limited existing data on how GCC youth feel about topics such as the role of Islam in society, gender relations and family pressure. Some of the questions are sensitive, which is why it was emphasized to potential respondents that responses would be anonymous. While a number of surveys covering societal issues have been conducted in the Middle East, because of the difficulties in accessing the appropriate demographic mix and the sensitivities involved, few of them have focused on the Gulf states. Additionally, while the GCC is often thought of as one culture and people, this survey demonstrates that there are nuances and differences among the GCC countries, driven by factors such as the country’s history, the degree of foreign influence, levels of natural-resource wealth and emphasis on religion.