Social and economic challenges and their impact on family stability in Jordanian society

 

The family is seen as the fundamental social unit in Jordan and is essential in forming people's personalities, establishing moral standards, and promoting social construction.  The family is crucial to social cohesiveness, but given the social and economic changes Jordan has seen in recent decades, it faces many obstacles that threaten its stability and continuity.
High rates of social change are occurring in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, including an increase in divorce rates, a shift in marital patterns, and a rise in challenging economic situations like unemployment and poverty that put more strain on families.  Addressing family issues is made more difficult by societal cultural changes and social ideals, which also affect the stability and vital roles of families.  A thorough grasp of the elements that directly and indirectly affect family stability in Jordanian society as a whole is lacking, nevertheless, as prior research frequently concentrates on certain elements or narrow spheres of influence [1].
The dearth of studies that clarify the interplay of economic, social, and cultural elements and their combined influence on Jordanian family stability—particularly in view of the swift societal transformations—is the research gap that this study aims to fill.  Furthermore, the ways in which societal policies and interventions might help to lessen the effects of difficulties and achieve long-term family stability have not received much attention in the literature.
Given these facts, the study's significance rests in its effort to thoroughly track and examine these variables in order to offer scientific insights that will assist decision-makers and pertinent stakeholders in creating practical plans to uphold the Jordanian family, strengthen its unity, and guarantee its stability as a cornerstone of a robust national society [2].
2. Theoretical Framework and Previous Literature
2.1 Concepts and Strategies for Family Stability
A key idea in family psychology and sociology is the idea of family stability.  It is described as a condition where family interactions are balanced and continuous, guaranteeing that family members' demands for communication, support, emotional fulfillment, and the accomplishment of common objectives are met [3].  Numerous intricately linked factors, including the prevailing cultural norms, social policies, economic situations, and environmental conditions, all have an impact on its stability.
The family is seen as a social system that carries out vital tasks like reproduction, socialization, financial support, and personal growth from the standpoint of functionalist theory.  The degree to which these roles are effectively performed determines its stability Contrarily, interactionist theory highlights that the stability of a family is contingent upon the regular interactions among its members as well as their adaptability in resolving disputes and reaching agreements.
2.2.  Factors Affecting Family Stability
1. Economic Factors: One of the main elements influencing family stability is economic standing.  Higher income levels are linked to lower rates of family conflict and disputes, according to a number of studies. This is because economic resources serve as the foundation for meeting basic needs and easing the pressures brought on by poverty, both of which promote greater family cohesion [3].  On the other hand, poverty makes conflict and the breakdown of family relationships more likely, particularly in communities where family resources are scarce.
2. Social Factors: These include family members' level of communication and understanding, social support, and social bonds.  Several research has demonstrated that open communication, supportive connections, and healthy family dynamics are essential components of stable families [4].  Because of the differences in responsibilities and beliefs between generations, social changes like the shift from traditional to modern society might occasionally result in more conflict.
3. Cultural and Value Factors: According to [5], cultural values, customs, and norms influence how people behave, how they see their responsibilities in the family, and how stable the family is.  For instance, religious and family values that stress ties and loyalty, as well as the need to uphold traditions and unity in the face of adversity, are the foundation of family cohesiveness in Arab society, especially in Jordan [6].
4. Personal and Psychological Factors: Social skills, psychological resilience, and psychological state all have a significant impact on how well family members handle stress and difficulties.  According to studies, people who possess positive qualities, resilience, and flexibility are good at keeping families stable [7].
5. Supportive Policies and Programs: By offering social services, financial assistance, and psychiatric counseling, government policies and community support initiatives seek to improve family stability.  Programs that raise family awareness and offer educational and training opportunities, for instance, are useful instruments for enhancing family performance and bolstering family capacities [8].
2.3. Previous Studies and the Problematic of the Study
There is a dearth of thorough coverage of the interplay between economic, social, and cultural factors, particularly in the Jordanian context, which is distinguished by particular features in terms of tribal overlap, economic challenges, and social transformations, despite the diversity of local and Arab studies that have addressed the topic of family stability.
1. A 2015 study by Al-Saeed examined how Egypt's economic circumstances affected family stability and found a correlation between rising rates of poverty and a rise in family disputes.  However, the study only looked at the economic aspect and skipped over the cultural and societal aspects.
2. The impact of social, cultural, and economic factors on family stability was examined in a study by [9].  The study came to the conclusion that family stability and income levels are strongly correlated.
3. Research on how spouse interactions and marital connections affect family stability:  Several studies have demonstrated that the stability of a family is significantly influenced by the quality of the marriage.  Effective communication and understanding between spouses lowers the likelihood of conflict and improves family cohesion, per research by [10].  According to the study's findings, fostering family stability requires understanding how to handle conflict, emotional support, and shared values and expectations.  The study also made clear that a breakdown in family relationships and a rise in divorce and separation rates are caused by inadequate communication or ongoing disputes.
4. Research on the effects of social and cultural changes on families: [11] found that cultural and social changes, particularly those brought about by modernization and urbanization, have an impact on family patterns. These changes include a move from extended families to nuclear families and the emergence of new issues with role balance that affect family stability.  According to [12]. research, if family cohesiveness frameworks are not suitably modified, they may be undermined by changes in intergenerational role expectations, as well as changes in values pertaining to role flexibility and society expectations.
5. Research on the Function of Interventions and Social Programs in Fostering Family Stability:  The significance of social and psychological programs in enhancing families' ability to handle life's obstacles has been the subject of some research.  [13] study, for instance, showed that social skills training, psychological therapy, and family awareness programs all play a major role in enhancing family cohesion and performance.  Effective cultural and educational interventions support families in maintaining stability and managing social and economic demands. This was proven by the researcher.
6. Jordanian Society Case Study/Field Research: [14] study examined family stability elements and the effects of Jordan's economic and cultural circumstances at the level of Jordanian society.  According to the study's findings, Jordanian families are among the most cohesive, with tribal ties and religious beliefs contributing significantly to the family's strength.  However, in certain situations, the stability of the family is threatened by financial strains, difficulties with unemployment, and shifting roles within the family.  The study suggested that in order to improve family resilience in the face of adversity, support and awareness initiatives should be strengthened.
Research that thoroughly connects all of these elements is lacking, particularly in the Arab setting and Jordan specifically, despite the fact that many studies have looked at family stability factors from different angles.
3. Theoretical Framework and Basic Concepts
(A) Social Challenges: Social challenges are occurrences and situations that impact the relationships among members of society and the fabric of society, especially affecting families through changes in social interactions, family relationships, and values.  High divorce rates, deteriorating family relationships, and the rise of nontraditional or values-incongruent lifestyles are some of these issues.  They are thought to erode family unity, have a detrimental effect on family stability, and raise stress levels in both personal and familial interactions. 
(B) Economic problems: The circumstances that people and families encounter as a result of economic factors including unemployment, poverty, rising living expenses, and dwindling work prospects are referred to as economic problems.  These elements lead to psychological strain, challenges in obtaining necessities, and deterioration of living conditions for families.  By hindering functional performance, upsetting relationships, and raising the frequency of family disagreements and disputes, these factors have a direct impact on family stability. 
(C) Family Stability: In this context, the idea of family stability is used as a gauge to assess how well family members are bonded and cohesive, as well as how well they are able to handle outside issues and challenges while preserving a supportive and protective social and psychological environment.  In order to maintain and promote family unity, it is seen as a state of equilibrium between life's responsibilities and the development of close bonds and constructive communication [15]. 

A collection of social and economic theories is used to describe the type and degree of the influence of social and economic obstacles on family function and resilience in order to thoroughly examine and comprehend the relationship between these issues and family stability.

One of the most well-known ideas that emphasizes viewing society and the family as multifunctional entities is functionalism.  It is believed that the family is a social institution that is crucial to provide for the fundamental needs of both individuals and society at large.  This theory holds that social and economic issues have an impact on how well these institutions function and reduce their capacity to attain stability and cohesion, particularly if they are unable to provide the emotional and financial support that people require.  This illustrates how difficulties that jeopardize family function cause it to deteriorate and lose the equilibrium and fortitude required for survival [16].

focuses on comprehending the conflicts and tensions brought on by social and economic inequality and describes how these conflicts affect the stability of families.  This theory holds that unequal income and power distributions place the family under social and economic strain, raising the possibility of conflict and arguments and endangering the stability of the family.  In order to improve family stability in the face of social and economic difficulties, conflict theory emphasizes the significance of social justice and resource redistribution.
3.1.3 Family Role Theory
highlights how crucial traditional roles and family equality are to establishing stability and internal equilibrium.  According to this hypothesis, financial difficulties like unemployment and poverty can cause changes in the roles that are assigned within the family, particularly if one person is compelled to take on more obligations or their duties shift.  Family roles are under strain from societal issues including increasing divorce rates, which have an impact on family cohesion and its fundamental operations [17].
3.1.4 Adaptation and Continuity Theory
emphasizes how well families can adjust to both internal and external difficulties.  It implies that a family's ability to remain stable is largely dependent on its adaptability to shifting social and economic circumstances.  Strongly resilient families that offer social networks and psychological support are better equipped to endure hardships and preserve their stability.
In order to determine, from a purely theoretical standpoint, the degree to which social and economic issues affect family stability in Jordanian society, this section will evaluate and interpret facts and information based on theoretical research and prior literature [18].

4.1 The Impact of Economic Challenges on Family Stability
According to the literature, economic difficulties such high unemployment, poverty rates, and market volatility are significant factors that have a detrimental effect on family stability.  Theoretically, this is explained by the fact that challenging economic circumstances put family members under material and psychological stress, endangering interpersonal harmony and family unity.  The theory of adaptation and continuity states that a family's stability and continuity are determined by its capacity to cope with these challenges, whether through monetary resources or social support systems.  Scholars affirm that the absence of financial assistance raises the risk of family breakdown, particularly given the dearth of efficient systems to deal with financial emergencies.
4.2 The Impact of Social Challenges on Family Structure and Functions
According to recent research, family stability is impacted by a number of issues, including shifting roles within the family, growing divorce rates, and the decline of social values.  According to related theories, family connection patterns are disrupted by changing social norms and changes, particularly when there are no adaptable systems in place to deal with these difficulties.  A stable environment for children and family cohesion are threatened by the duality or loss of roles, which upsets the internal balance of the family and causes conflict and disintegration, according to family role theory.
4.3 The Interplay of Social and Economic Challenges in Exacerbating Stress on the Family
According to the research, social and economic issues don't just happen; they overlap and interact in a complicated way, making things more difficult for families.  According to functionalist ideas, the family is viewed as an institution with fundamental roles, and experiencing a variety of difficulties impairs its capacity to carry out these roles, which causes an imbalance in social cohesiveness and family balance.  Inequalities in the allocation of financial resources or limitations on social liberties also raise the risk of conflict inside the family, undermining its stability, according to conflict analysis.
4.4 Factors that Facilitate and Hinder Family Stability in the Face of Challenges
Theoretically, obstacles can be surmounted and their effects on the family lessened by the existence of community support networks, awareness campaigns, and psychological counseling programs.  On the other hand, barriers like inadequate social policies, a lack of resources, and a lack of community awareness are seen as things that make issues worse and make it harder for families to survive emergencies.  This emphasizes how crucial social and political system interventions are to maintaining family unity and assisting it through difficult times.

According to the study's findings, family stability in Jordanian society is seriously threatened by social and economic issues.  In times of crisis, family continuity and cohesion are made more difficult by the overlap and interactions of these issues.  According to theoretical study, poverty, unemployment, and shifting social values all have a significant impact on fundamental family functions including nurturing, protection, and psychosocial support.  The research also highlights how, in the face of persistent difficulties, families become more fragile and prone to dissolution when social policies are inadequate and awareness campaigns are lacking.
Therefore, it is imperative that these issues be addressed in order to maintain social stability.  The effects of these difficulties can be lessened, and families' resilience and adaptation can be increased, by reevaluating social and economic policies and creating psychosocial support services for them.  To improve the economic and social circumstances of Jordanian families, it is critical that government agencies, the commercial sector, and civil society organizations work together to create a comprehensive support network.
To sum up, improving family stability calls for more than just direct actions; it also entails fostering a supportive atmosphere through raising social awareness, fostering societal ideals, and offering adaptable crisis management techniques.  All things considered, this study emphasizes the critical need for more research grounded in in-depth analytical techniques, with the goal of comprehending and examining the influencing factors and improving policies and programs that guarantee family stability as a crucial component in creating a future society that is more cohesive and prosperous.