Representations of the Parent–Child Relationship in Palestinian Folk Proverbs: A Sociological Study

Abstract

The study focused on Palestinian folk proverbs as an essential component of Palestinian folklore, as they constitute an indispensable source for understanding the lives of Palestinians, their customs and traditions, and their perceptions of the surrounding environment. It examined the relationship between Palestinian fathers and their children as reflected in these proverbs from a sociological perspective. The study highlighted the positive role of fathers in guiding, advising, and properly raising their children, while also addressing their negative role, which may lead to the displacement of their children and the disintegration and fragmentation of their families. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, whereby it selected proverbs related to the father–son relationship and analyzed them in order to uncover their social and cultural connotations. It concluded with several findings, foremost among them that folk proverbs emphasize the resemblance between fathers and their children in appearance, behavior, and morals; they advocate fairness among children; and they warn against disobedience toward parents and call for respecting them– though at times they also portray them in a satirical manner.