Imposition of Culture?

I want to address some of what I what I touched on when talking about how I view women's role here in the Kingdom.  I do, however, understand that to them it is completely normal and most of them are perfectly happy with the arrangement. I understand that my definition of freedom is very different to them and that my culture is completely different to theirs. My observations, were merely that, my observation from my very skewed and biased point of view. I have struggled with the idea that someone could be happy at being (what in my view is) limited in their freedom.

I will re-emphasize that the women here in Saudi seem happy with their role in society. This is even true of Saudi women that I know who have studied in Westernized countries (like US or UK) and have returned home to KSA and still fulfill their role as Saudi women fully and contently.  I know that there is something to be said about how people can only see things from their point of view, and I understand that mine is quite different to that of the women here. They don't seem to mind that they can't drive, can't vote, can't walk alone in the streets, can't catch a cab by themselves, can't travel without a male companion, can't wear what they want, can't have their picture taken, and (traditionally) can't study, work or really been seen in public with members of the opposite sex that are not immediate family. They have grown up this way and so to them it's normal.  In fact I almost feel that to them, my independence seems odd and even slightly off-putting. Why would I choose to be alone is something they all seem to question. It seems like everyday I get someone who looks at me a with a quizzical slant to their head when I tell them I'm here alone, and no I'm not married or living with my parents.

The role of women here is clearly defined and perhaps that is a good thing. These are women who don't feel the need to go out and prove themselves in the "real world." They are happy knowing that they are taken care of and that they are in control of their dominion (the household). I just wanted to say that is not how I want to live my life. Unlike the women in KSA, I was brought up to think that independence was something to aspire to. That you should go out and work and be on equal footing as anyone else (male or female). I like the idea that I can express myself in anyway I choose (be it clothing, expressions or even who I choose to spend time with). I want to drive and be able to go out in the city by myself and get lost and explore, but I can't. So perhaps my struggle is not me trying to impose my values and culture on Saudi but how Saudi is imposing itself on me.