Proverbs and the Stereotypical Image of Yemeni Women “Sociological Analysis” A Social Analytical Study

Abstract

Popular proverbs reflect the knowledge, culture, beliefs, contradictions, attitudes, and common behaviors of societies. These proverbs permeate most aspects of social life, serving as a mirror to various life experiences and situations. They even act as a guide to behavior, presenting a model encapsulated in concise words with a pleasant musical rhythm. This is because proverbs are a recurring oral tradition that preserves the minutest rituals and diverse practices. In Yemeni culture and popular heritage, women have a significant share of these proverbs, which depict their reality in various ways, whether positive or negative. The study employed the descriptive analytical method, one of the most commonly used approaches in social studies. The study aimed to identify popular proverbs in Yemeni society and to examine the image of Yemeni women in these proverbs. It concluded that most of the popular proverbs offer a pessimistic view of women, portraying them in a negative mental image. A woman's acceptance of society's view of her further deepens this perception. The study recommends raising social awareness among individuals by paying attention to popular culture and the role of women in society, especially among the general and lower classes of society..