Sociology of interaction with the environment A comparative study on a sample of fathers and sons in Jeddah Governorate

Objectives:The study aimed to identify the differences in the Sociology of interaction with the environment, between the generations of fathers and sons in the city of Jeddah.
Methods: The descriptive study used the method comparative methods to answer the research questions, objectives, and to test its hypotheses. It was implemented using a questionnaire, and its items were developed based on the dimensions of identity theory concepts, with several items branching from these dimensions to suit their respective concepts. These include:
Self-Classification Dimension, Identity Verification Dimension,  Identity Salience Dimension, Identity Resources Dimension, Identity Standard Dimension.
Results: The research population consisted of male Saudi individuals in Jeddah. The study's purposive sample included 214 fathers aged 40 years or older who have children, and 273 sons aged between 20 and 30 years. The study results indicated statistically significant differences at the 0.01 level according to the value of (t) 2.57 in favor of fathers, in the total degree of interaction with the environment according to the dimensions of identity theory. It was clear that there was a variance in the dimension of self-classification according to the value of (t) 2.25, and in the dimension of identity verification according to the value of (t) 3.32 in favor of fathers. While there was no variance in the dimension of identity emergence according to the value of (t) 1.43, the dimension of identity resources according to the value of (t) 0.74, and the dimension of identity criterion according to the value of (t) 1.67 between fathers and Sons.
Conclusions: The study concluded that it is necessary to raise awareness of behaviors that contribute to interacting with the environment positively, due to their impact on individuals’ lifestyles and community identity.