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Factors Driving the Omani Family to Travel Abroad: A Field Study

In recent years, the family in the Arab and Gulf countries has experienced many structural changes because of various transformations that have contributed to changing some of its functions. The modern Omani family has witnessed some radical changes in its structure consistent with the recent developments in the Sultanate. These changes occurred in various economic, social, political and cultural fields, which led to the spread of some modern phenomena, including the phenomenon of travelling abroad. According to the latest statistics issued by the National Center for Statistics and Information in the Sultanate of Oman, there is an increase in the number of Omanis departing from the Sultanate, which accounted for 77.7% of the total departures from the Sultanate during August 2017. There are many social, economic, cultural, health, and other factors that drive families to travel abroad. While imitation and simulation of relatives or peers are behind travelling abroad, others see it as means to gain a high social status or as an opportunity to strengthen social relations between family members. Of course, for many others the main driving factor is seeking medical checkup and treatment. Thus, the research problem focuses on identifying the factors that drive the Omani family to travel outside the Sultanate. The researchers relied on the analytical descriptive method using a comprehensive social survey. The research instrument was administered among parents (fathers or mothers) of third year students majoring in sociology or social work, as well as students registered in the college required philosophy course for the fall semester of 2017.The study found that there are many social, economic, cultural and health factors that drive Omani families to travel abroad. It also provided suggestions, along with some mechanisms that are useful in rationalizing the travel of Omani families abroad.