Marianne Heiberg and Geir Øvensen

Palestinian Society

in Gaza, West Bank and Arab Jerusalem

A Survey of Living Conditions

With
Helge Brunborg, Rita Giacaman, Rema Hammami, Neil Hawkins, Hasan Abu Libdeh, Camilla Stoltenberg, Salim Tamari, Steinar Tamsfoss, Ole Fr. Ugland, Lars Weiseth

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Level of living conditions study, the organising concept
The Gaza, West Bank and Arab Jerusalem survey

1. The Transformation of Palestinian Society: Fragmentation and Occupation

The Fragmentation of Palestinian Society
Urban-Rural Disparities
Poverty, Migration, and Living Conditions
Juridical Control and the Israeli Civil Administration
Control of Land, Labour and Infrastructure
Loss of Control and Reaction to Powerlessness
Notes

2. Population Characteristics and Trends

Population
Who is "Palestinian"?
Palestinian Population History
The Population Covered by the FAFO Survey
Characteristics of Population in the Occupied Territories
Infant and Child Mortality
Data Limitations
Data Quality
Childhood Mortality Estimation
Regional Comparison
Concluding Remarks
Fertility
Summary Statistics of FALCOT 92 Input Data
Population Projections
Limitations on Input Parameters
Basic Assumptions
Formulation of Alternative Projections
Results
Projected Developments in the Occupied Territories Using Projection
Prospects of Change in Population Size
References
Notes

3. Housing

The Cultural Setting of and Domestic and Public Spheres inside the Housing Unit
Variations in Construction
Privacy and housing density
Infrastructural Amenities: Water, Sewage and Electricity
Indoor Standards
Forms of Ownership
Housing and Safety with Regard to Children
Conclusion
Notes

4. Health

Acute and Chronic Illness
Utilization of Health Services
Health Insurance
Symptoms of Distress - Mental Health
Conclusion
Summary
References

5. Education

Brief Overview of the Evolution of the Palestinian Educational System
Literacy Rates
Educational Attainment
Education and Economic Mobility
Education and Leisure
The Impact of Education on Individual Autonomy and Perception of Influence
Education and the Perception of Conflict
Education's Impact on the Status of Women
Conclusion
Notes

6. Household Income and Wealth

Household Wealth
Household Income
Conclusion
Notes

7. Employment and Under-utilization of Labour

Supply of Labour; Labour Force Participation
Under-utilization of Labour
Use of the Labour Force in the Occupied Territories
Female Labour Activity
Conclusions
Notes

8. Aspects of Social Stratification

Socioeconomic Status and HH Background Characteristics
Social Status and Economic Wealth
Attitudes to Social Inequalities
A Homogeneous Society or Three Different Areas?
Notes

9. Opinions and Attitudes

The Attitudinal Framework
Attitudes on the Status of Women
Attitudes to Social Divisions in Palestinian Society
Religious Attitudes
Political Attitudes
Evaluation of the Past
Attitudes to the Future
Conclusions
Notes

10. Women in Palestinian Society

Marriage and Attitudes Towards Marriage Age
Marriage Age
Preferred Marriage Age
Women, Property and Access to Economic Resources
Women's Informal Support Networks
Freedom of Movement
Attitudes Towards Women's Appropriate Work Roles
Conclusions
Notes

Appendix A: Sampling Strategy

Gaza Strip Sample Design
West Bank Sample Design
Arab Jerusalem Sample Design
Estimators
Sampling and Non-sampling Error
Notes

Appendix B: Recruitment, Training and Organisation of the Field Work

Appendix C: Processing of Data

Appendix A2: Tables

Appendix A6: Tables

Appendix A7: Labour Table Appendix

Fafo Report 151

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