Alia Mohammed – Women in Development and Peace
A woman’s delay in marriage is a social phenomenon indicating that she hasn’t married within the traditionally accepted age range, which varies across societies. In Yemen, a woman remaining unmarried past 30 is socially unacceptable. Therefore, many see early marriage as a solution to achieve social stability and avoid the problem of spinsterhood.
Statistics and international reports show Yemen has high rates of child marriage; girls are married before reaching adulthood. This violates girls’ rights; they’re forced to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood at a young age, impacting their education and opportunities for self-development.
Early marriage in Yemen is linked to the cultural, social, and economic situations of some families. It’s a deeply rooted social tradition, especially in rural areas, where it’s seen as a social duty that preserves “family honor” and reduces financial burdens.
Furthermore, some in society confine women’s roles to reproduction and the responsibilities of home and family. This has entrenched a desire to marry young women who can bear children for longer, ignoring their rights to education and self-fulfillment.
The Principle of Early Marriage in Yemen
Generally, early marriage and spinsterhood in Yemen are interconnected due to economic, social, and cultural pressures, each directly or indirectly affecting the other. The relationship between early marriage and spinsterhood in Yemen is complex, with intertwined social, economic, and cultural factors.
Ahmad Shiraz, a musician and teacher, explains that Yemeni society values marriage as a fundamental step in a woman’s life, considering it a social marker of success and stability. This concept makes unmarried women vulnerable to criticism or even pity.
He adds, “An unmarried woman in Yemen faces a mix of appreciation and criticism. While she might be seen as more independent and able to pursue education or work, she also faces immense societal pressure to conform to traditional marriage norms.”
He notes that delayed marriage is a challenge in the eyes of many Yemeni families, especially since early marriage remains prevalent. This puts women in a difficult position, caught between their personal ambitions and societal expectations.
In this context, social expert Marwan Al-Shamari views early marriage as a complex social problem influenced by multiple interwoven factors. He points to social, economic, and political causes behind its prevalence.
He adds, “Some women face strong social pressures pushing them into early marriage. Customs and traditions play a significant role in encouraging the marriage of minors. Society views early marriage as a way to protect girls and ensure a better future, leading many families to marry off their daughters before a certain age.”
He explained that poverty is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of this phenomenon in Yemen; difficult living conditions drive some families to marry off their daughters early to alleviate the family’s economic burden.
Conversely, social researcher Salah Al-Haqab pointed to social, religious, economic, and legal factors that reinforce early marriage.
He believes that the patriarchal nature of Yemeni society portrays women as dependents rather than independent individuals—a concept ingrained in popular consciousness and reinforced by proverbs like, “Marry off your eight-year-old, and I’ll guarantee the safety,” which encourages marrying off young girls.
He added, “Some use religion to justify early marriage, citing religious texts to support this practice. Poverty and hardship also drive fathers to marry off their daughters early to ease the family’s financial burden.”
He also explained that the legal aspect is a key reason for the prevalence of this phenomenon, particularly due to the lack of clear laws defining or regulating the legal age of marriage, which exacerbates the problem.
Men’s Preference for Younger Girls
Lots of Yemeni men prefer younger wives, sparking questions about why and how it affects women over 30.
One matchmaker, who didn’t want to be named, said, “Many men want young wives. I get requests from guys all over Yemen looking for young brides.”
She says men see younger women as easier to control, while older women, with more life experience, are seen as strong-willed and stubborn. So, men look for younger women to mold to their liking.
She adds, “There’s a common belief that women age faster than men, so they prefer younger wives. It’s not just the men; many Yemeni families encourage their sons to marry young women so they can shape them as they wish.”
The matchmaker says early marriage directly affects the rejection of older women, reducing marriage chances for women in their 20s and 30s. As a result, women past the “ideal” marriage age face social pressure, affecting their mental health and increasing their fear of spinsterhood.
Salah Al-Haqab believes ignorance is a major reason Yemeni men prefer younger wives. This preference is reinforced by ingrained social norms that dictate a wife should be significantly younger than her husband. Sometimes, there are logical reasons, other times, not so much.
He adds that the lack of civil marriage, based on mutual consent and acquaintance, contributes to this; marriage in Yemen often happens without direct interaction between the couple, making age a key factor in the selection process.
Effects and Dangers
While Yemeni society views early marriage as a way to avoid the stigma of late marriage, it carries serious physical, mental, and economic risks.
Many underage girls face serious health risks from early pregnancy and childbirth complications. Often, they’re just not emotionally or mentally ready for marriage, leading to huge amounts of stress. On top of that, a lot of girls who marry young experience domestic violence, either physical or emotional, which further exacerbates the already difficult situation.
Early marriage also really screws up a girl’s education; tons of girls can’t finish school because of the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood. This limits their job opportunities and hurts the economy in places where this is common.
Societies that encourage young girls to get married reinforce the idea that a woman who doesn’t marry young is undesirable. This puts unmarried girls under immense social and emotional pressure, negatively affecting their self-esteem and pushing them into isolation. It just makes their lives harder and stops them from being able to participate in society.
Solutions and Treatments
Many social experts say early marriage and its impact on the prevalence of spinsterhood is a complex social issue requiring immediate, multifaceted efforts from society to ensure girls’ rights and empower them to make their own choices.
Regarding solutions to reduce early marriage, social expert Marwan Al-Shamari says this phenomenon and its direct impact on women in their 20s and 30s is a complex issue requiring combined efforts from the government, civil society, and the international community.
He stresses that society must take responsibility for combating this phenomenon. It’s crucial to change traditional notions about women’s roles. This requires promoting awareness programs on the dangers of underage marriage and its negative effects on girls and society, plus the importance of education and girls’ rights.
He also mentions the importance of providing social and economic support to poor families to reduce the pressures that push them to marry off their daughters young. Strict laws prohibiting underage marriage are also essential, with severe penalties for violators.
In conclusion, Al-Shamari believes breaking the cycle of underage marriage and spinsterhood requires a deep consideration of sustainable solutions that change social perceptions and improve the economic and social conditions of women to balance the desire for and rejection of marriage.