PALESTINIAN SOCIETY - Fafo

However, certain beliefs conceming the forces that shape individual
futures are clearly influenced by education. Another question
involved the power of destiny (table 5.14).
In the Arabie questionnaire this question was phrased slightly
differently from the well-known Arabie proverb in order to en sure that
respondents would reflect on the substanee of this of ten repeated
adage. Among men belief in the power of fate decreases rapidly with
increased education. Nonetheless, a full 20% of the most educated
men still seem to retain a fatalistic approach to life's challenges.
The picture that emerges from women's responses is somewhat
different. Because of the dependent status of most women in Palestinian
society and their relative domestic continement, the picture is also
somewhat surprising.
Women' s belief in the power of destiny is not particularly affected
by educational leveis, except among the most educated where it
declines abruptly. However, in comparison to men, women generally
seem to tind the power of fate notably less compelling.
Education and
the Perception of Conflict
Education also seems to affect perceptions conceming the degree of
conflict in society. The survey posed a range of questions conceming
perception of conflict between various sectors of society (tables 5.15,
5.16); between the young and old, management and workers, the rural
and urban population, men and women, etc. In all cases the pattem was
sirnilar although degree of intensity varied. Those with the highest
levels of education were in least doubt about the existence of conflict
and were most prone to describe the degree of conflict as very strong.
Table 5.14 Man's destiny is written in advance
Men's responses by educational level Women's responses by educational level
Disagree Agree Don't know Disagree Agree Don't know
O 44 52 5 O 81 15 4
1-6 58 39 4 1-6 81 16 2
7-9 61 36 3 7-9 72 22 5
10-12 71 27 2 10-12 82 16 2
130r more 77 21 2 13 0r more 94 6 O
Total men 65 32 3 Total women 80 17 3
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