8 Jobs That Are Looked Down Upon by Egyptian Society
Sadly, our society likes to favor only a few professions, I’m sure you know families that only consists of doctors, pharmacists, engineers and so on. Society is so used to considering people working the following eight jobs as second degree citizens, it’s sickening, and it needs to stop.
1) “Mesawaraty” – Photographer
I have a friend of mine who is very passionate about photography, he wanted to transfer from engineering to photography school but his father refused because he was convinced that his son will be required to give nude women photo sessions.
2) “Ra2assa” – Belly dancer
From ballerinas to Zumba instructors, you’re all pushed into one category which is probably the least respected. And it’s all for the same old sexist reasons we have all learnt by heart.
3) “2alaty” – Musician who plays an instrument
As much as the Egyptian society loves and appreciates music, when it comes to having a relative, son or daughter as a musician, the double-standardized 3er2 makes an appearance and pisses all over their dreams.
4) “Sa7afeya” – Journalist
If you’re a journalist and unlucky enough to be a woman in Egypt, then you’re dubbed as a woman who strips to get her sources speak up.
5) “Momasela” – Actor
Tunisian actress Hend Sabry once summed it up in the movie “Malek w Ketaba“: Banat me2aggareen sha2a w shaghaleen fel ceema, mashkook feena rassmy!”
6) “Rassaam” – Painter
“It’s not a proper job, it’s a hobby!”
7) “Na7aat” – Sculptor
And that’s because, as we all know, “el na7t 7aram.” We don’t want to bring idolatry back, do we?
8) “Betoo3 el social media” – Social Media Managers
You could be earning as much as a cousin who works at a bank, but when both of you are seated at a big family 3ezouma and it’s your turn to introduce yourself to your extended family, they don’t get you when you say account executive, and they never will. It’s “kolo le3ab atfal w telefonat.”
WE SAID THIS: Have no shame, we shall survive.
