Saudi women have become one of the most rapidly changing elements of Arab Islamic society. Concern with socio-economic national development and the pressures to integrate women into the process of social development make the issue of women in Saudi Arabia one of particular interest.

This book examines the social issues related to the status of women in Saudi Arabia (in a social, religious, historical and cultural context) and the extent to which Saudi women actively participate in the development of the country. The book also discusses the quality of Saudi women's lives in a traditional society and the meaning of their social reality. Intensive interviews were held in the city of Jeddah with 100 Saudi women from different social, economic and educational levels.

The study focuses on education and work outside the home as they affect the traditional role of the Saudi woman as wife, mother and homemaker. At the same time those factors promote the participation of women in the development of Saudi Arabia.