The Effects of the Corona Pandemic and its Aftermath on Family Relations in Jordan

    This study aimed at investigating change in the flow of social relations within the Jordanian family under the Corona pandemic and its aftermath. The study investigated three areas: isolation and quarantine, physical and social distancing, and distance education. The researcher chose a sample of (291) parents who have children in schools in Irbid Governorate. This study adopts the analytical descriptive approach. The results revealed that physical and social distancing ranked first with a high degree, prompting family members to avoid approaching, shaking hands, hugging and welcoming others. In addition, distance education came in second place with a medium degree. Parents would electronically monitor their children’s performance, create an appropriate atmosphere for learning, discover their hobbies and skills, and reward them when they excel and solve their homework. Finally, isolation and quarantine ranked third, with a medium degree. Jordanians would invest the time of isolation and quarantine as an opportunity for the family members to gather together at home, practice domestic activities, and avoid bringing visitor into their houses. The results also revealed no statistically significant differences due to the variables of gender, family size, work, the availability of internet service, the way remotely educated children follow up on their homework in all areas, age in all areas except for isolation and quarantine favoring parents aging 40 or younger, monthly income in all areas except for distance education, favoring families with high income, and if the remotely educated children have a computer or not, in all areas except for isolation and quarantine, in favor of having a computer. The study also revealed significant differences due to the impact of the educational level in all areas, with the exception of physical and social distancing, favoring lower than secondary education in isolation, and quarantine, favoring secondary level in distance education. The study recommends that parents take advantage of the implications of isolation, quarantine, and physical and social separation, by bringing the family together at home through a safe distance, providing strong internet, and appropriate devices for distance education.