About 75 percent of college girls in Saudi Arabia are finding the summer vacation a bit of a drag, according to a published study. The survey conducted by Haya Aba Hussien, a sociologist and researcher, found that at least 60 percent of these girls would rather be engaged in some self-development activity than waste the holiday just sitting around and doing nothing. They would like to take up a hobby or activity that helps develop their skills, Al-Watan Arabic daily reported, citing Haya. The problem is that there are no recreational centers or sports clubs for girls in Saudi Arabia. Most of the girls surveyed blamed both government agencies and non-governmental organizations for not helping them put their free time to better use. Eighty-three percent of the sample base said they would join women's sports clubs run by women, if such clubs were established. Fatima Abdullah Al-Awaji, a social worker at the Community College in Qatif, cited social studies to warn of the danger of idle minds festering among the youth of the country who make up nearly 70 percent of the population. Fatima said most Saudi families realize how important it is for the youth population to invest in their leisure time rather than aimlessly roam the streets and malls. She suggested that clubs be formed for girls to take up hobbies like painting, designing, tailoring, etc. “Such activities will instill in their minds several virtues, especially the virtue of being disciplined and self-reliant,” Fatima said. Hind Al-Zahid, director of the Businesswomen Center at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Eastern Province noted that in developed countries, great importance is attached to such extracurricular activities that help youth recognize and make choices early so as to make the most of future opportunities. “These activities help them develop their personal brand,” she said, “and also teach them how to develop effective time management.” Munira Al-Zamil, director of Abdullah Al-Hamad Center for Community Service in Dammam said summer recreational and educational programs must be worked out to help youth to discover their aptitudes. “We should also concentrate on sport activities such as basketball and volleyball,” she said, noting that such summer programs would help students develop their self-confidenc as they interact with other segments of the society. The vacation period offers a good opportunity to develop social consciousness among students by involving them in activities such as cleaning the sea shores, caring for cancer patients, and other community services that help them realize the virtue of social work, she said.
