There are many things that affect the movement of people globally and within a nation. Demographics is the study of the reasons why people move around. There are many factors that influence the migration of people, from social, to cultural and personal.
Religion, people’s education, their national preferences and the surrounding environment all play a crucial role in where people chose to live or where to move to. The changing times have been especially influential on the migration of the indigenous people, but the historical records are partly lost or non-existent (Turner, 2006).
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the background reasons for the movement of indigenous people away from city centers, and in Saudi Arabia in particular. An objective look will be taken at the different criteria that lead to changes in migration patterns. More specifically, the migration determinants and demographics of the indigenous people are closely related to the global economics and societies, but are also interrelated between each other and local, intercultural societies (Carnes & Yang, 2004).
The history and the indigenous people possess knowledge that is very specific to the area and which can be used to an advantage. The environment determines the way people lead their lives and what they can offer to each other. Even in the modern world, indigenous people are secluded and their history is not as specific. The native populations of all modern countries have been suscepted to the influence of the dominating culture which colonized and secluded the indigenous population (Mahadevan, 2009).
The results of such a shift led to a city becoming a very busy place with a lot of potential for growth. Heritage is an extremely important part of the society and this can be seen in how society functions. The city bases its priorities on the development and so, technology has become the center focus on life. Just like the first years of development, the movement forward continues today.
People are able to communicate and cooperate, so that whole of society is interconnected and participating (Sargent, 2008). The modern society strives to eliminate any kind of separation between races and people, so that all are able to enjoy an environment free of stress and unfair treatment. In turn, this leads to full assimilation of indigenous people, and there is a risk that the older and valuable culture will be lost (Moses, 2004).
Traditions and beliefs of people have a dominant effect on how demographics of indigenous people are set up. The role of personal attributes like education, family and cultural views play a key role why indigenous people have experienced a demographic shift (Schwegler, 2012). It is clear that how people view their social make-up and what their regulations of social life demand of them are the determinants in how the population will be shaped.
The demographics of indigenous people are greatly affected by the modern industry, competition for oil control and other valuable resources. The movement of indigenous population before modernization and colonization was minimal, comparing to the modern times. People are forced from their homes and social programs by the overtaking businesses and new high rise buildings.
There are unique particulars of the surrounding conditions that the people might cause and receive which will lead them to move to another area. Climate and geography of a specific location have a lot to do with the available resources needed to survive and prosper, especially for indigenous people. As such, natives are forced to move away from the city and find a place which would best support the needs of the community. The second point is migration in relation to personal factors.
This is defined as the movement of people within the nations, communities and villages, and the changes that such demographic change causes. As an example, when the colonists arrived, they proclaimed themselves owners of the land and took away any freedom or rights that indigenous people rightfully deserved. They were not asked for land, it was not bought but simply taken.
The traditions that the original population had were long standing cultural and well established system of beliefs and balance with nature (Gret-Regamey et al, 2008). The segregation that took place and happened on several levels brought about demographic changes that can be observed in the modern world.
The third point that affects demographics relates to the relationship between the modern culture and personal understanding of the surrounding society.
These are defined as individual and communal differences in families, education and character qualities. Communication would also play a great role in how indigenous people select a migration area. Labor and support of a social setting rests on effective communication techniques that lead to development and cooperation, especially in different cultural backgrounds (Pollalis, 2013).
Both past and present world are accompanied by several problems which determine the demographic changes. The available natural resources of an area are one of the determinants. A community bases support on the availability of conditions necessary for life, as well as development.
Recent climate changes have not been present in the previous years and have caused people to be more selective of the geographical location. Time, relative to the views of the world is extremely important, especially in the age of business and technology. The treatment and views of societies towards indigenous people would not set up an atmosphere for the stay.
Time and geography are linked, as geography would often determine the amount of time people could stay and work at a certain place. Historical literature, as well as modern text must be analyzed to discover how indigenous people viewed the new cultures and social norms (Otten & Geppert, 2009). In order to demonstrate demographics, quantitative methods, in forms of charts and percentage statics need to be consulted.
In the international section, fertility rates in the close-by countries are also examined, as well as educational statistics for adults and children. In a domestic migration analysis, the amount of people that left a specific country and the number of people that the receiving country has accepted is another determinant. The employment rates of a particular nation illustrate the availability of acceptance for indigenous people who feel out of place and not needed (Major Trends Affecting Families: A Background Document, 2003).
In the case of Saudi Arabia, the first factor is the community development and a greater involvement with the support that can be directed at people who already reside in the area. The focus has also been changed from businesses and people living there presently, towards the future and changes that will happen to the community and companies.
As a result the indigenous people of Saudi Arabia were moved out of the cities as businesses would be taking over the area. The mission was to develop the region and move towards the stable economy. It was also to place the location on the map and make it known to organizations and other investors, so that the region becomes the center for business and industrial activity, as well as for the community to enjoy the facilities and the surrounding area (El, 1984).
But unfortunately, the native people of Saudi Arabia were forced to move the communities, social services and cultural interconnections to remote areas. The eastern culture offers much diversity and interest to the international demographics because the shift in cultural preferences in accordance with the modern views is rather drastic.
People enjoy the environment and innovations that help the nation to prosper (Brebbia, 2011). Even though Saudi Arabia is becoming a very stable region with an enormous market and great possibilities for business, the indigenous people were forgotten and deprived of their land.
The segregation that took place happened on several levels. One was moral where people were degraded and their cultural values were forgotten and mistreated. Politically, the land was divided into reservations and people were placed into specific area where they could reside (Edgar, 2002). They could not choose their land by law and could not participate in any policy making. The ability and right to move was taken away as well, and all the available resources were taken for the needs of colonizers.
A cultural and social division was another great part of the discriminatory treatment of the indigenous people of Saudi Arabia. Culture was not the only part of the life of people that was much changed. Because of the hardships that people experienced, they would often be living in poor conditions with little access to water, food and other much needed items. Others were completely homeless which forced people out of the cities (Arab Migration In A Globalized World, 2004).
One study titled “The Saudi Arabian Economy: Policies, Achievements, and Challenges” looks at the particulars in the migration of indigenous people. Prior to 1850s, Saudi Arabia saw some administrative reforms which were centered on increasing the efficiency of national matters and the regulation of the new country began to flourish (Ramady, 2010).
The social life was revolving around collective effort of society to build a world full of prosperity and success (Dreyer, 2008). The guiding principles of the government were to establish an order that allowed for the development of industries and aggregation of autonomous matters. This pushed indigenous people out, making the cities more modern and business oriented.
The mindset that was predominant related to shaping public policy in such a way that it allowed people to gain maximum use of agriculture and environmental factors. This was to be used for directing further movement into the industrial era (Adler, 2003). The study fails to mention social and cultural detriments that were experiences by the indigenous people. Also, the solutions to resolve the matter are not analyzed, so it is difficult to base any understanding and direction of the future life.
The following image shows that the population is very dense in the developed regions, whereas areas away from the industrial centers are underdeveloped.
Another study looks at the distribution of males and females, and how the division within the population affects the class separation. The “International Migration and Development in the Arab Region” explains this trend as one of the key reasons why the indigenous population is decreasing with the modernization of the world (International Migration and Development in the Arab Region, 2007).
The data shows that the population of males is much greater than that of females. This is explained with the cultural specifics, as the traditional beliefs of Saudi Arabia were very conservative. As a result, males become more involved in business and the developing world, whereas women are still majorly secluded from the positions of influence and power (Arya, 2006).
Some of the recommendations demand changes in physical planning, as well as policy and management changes. In the past decade there was an outbreak of protests and indigenous people forcing the government to change policies. The fight for the preservation of culture and ways of life is very important to the present and future generations.
Because this is the age of changes and all people battle for rights and freedoms, Saudi Arabian people must finally receive the respect they deserve (Panara, 2013). The legislature must come into force which recognizes the many cultural peoples that exist on the territory of Saudi Arabia, and they must be considered rightful citizens. At the same time, this is demographically a distinct population. They have the right to form own government, produce and enforce laws and other legal rights that are enjoyed by the major population.
It is clear that demographics are greatly affected by the changing world. The indigenous people have left the city centers, as the rapid development and lack of education in a particular field left them no place or opportunity to prosper. This is the result of segregation and assimilation because the value of traditions and beoliefs has become less important globally.
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