Egypt's New Democracy and What It Will Mean to Egyptian Families

February 10, 2011 will forever be a historic day for the Egyptian People.  As the people move closer to democracy, the impact of former president Hosni Mubarak’s resignation from power will be great in the years to come.  CNN interviewed several Egyptians after the resignation and this statement explains the sentiments of many “It was a sense of liberation for me, for every Egyptian," said opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei. "For the first time, Egypt has a chance to be democratic, to be free, to have a sense of dignity, of freedom. So it's amazing. It's just like something we never experienced in our lifetime."  (CNN.com, 2011)

Many families celebrate this occasion and only one can imagine the historical impression this will have on the various generations.  The Egyptian people have an extremely high valued family life.  Children are regarded as great blessings and are treasured by the families.  Lower class Egyptian children are raised by their mothers while wealthy and nobles have servants to care for their young.  Women are expected to be obedient to their fathers and husbands however they are still equal to men.  Women participate in business, are land owners and face the same penalties as men if caught in any crime.  Children are required to care for their elderly parents and once the parents die, the sons inherit the land while the daughters inherit the jewelry and household goods.   Although the primary role of the mother is the care for the children and household, certain jobs are still open for them.  Women operate farms and businesses and serve as noblewomen.  The Egyptian culture is a very moral culture as well.  As large as the city of Cairo is, there is virtually no crime and this is largely due to loyalty to their religious beliefs.  The Islamic law prohibits drinking and drugs and this is enforced by their own piety. 

For eighteen days the people of Egypt stood boldly for the cause of freedom and as a result, the later generations will live and experience democracy.  This event will be written in history as an event with tremendous weight as the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Take a look into the families celebrating the historic day in Egypt…

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