Hebah Mohammed – Women in Development and Peace
Spinsterhood is a topic of heated debate and concern in a world brimming with social and cultural contradictions, particularly when it comes to comparing life in the city to life in the countryside. The city represents a gateway to rapid economic and social transformations, while the countryside retains its authenticity and traditions, which play a significant role in shaping societal values.
In the city, women face social and economic pressures that make spinsterhood a common choice. These pressures include the high cost of living and the challenges of work and employment. In addition, personal and professional ambitions may make marriage a secondary concern for some.
Social activist Amna Abood (a resident of the countryside) says: “Spinsterhood faces unique challenges in the countryside, where a traditional social environment prevails. This makes marriage not just a personal step but also a significant social step. While the cost of marriage may be lower in the countryside, social connections and traditional values remain the primary factors that push young people towards marriage.”
Comparing spinsterhood in the Yemeni city and countryside reveals that economic and social factors play a crucial role in marriage decisions. Each environment offers unique challenges and opportunities for young people, reflecting noticeable differences in their outlook on marriage and its social effects.
Dr. Iman Abdul-Malik Basaid (Professor of Sociology at Future University) believes that the rate of spinsterhood in the countryside is much lower than in the city. She attributes this to the fact that girls in the countryside are considered more capable of shouldering responsibility and adapting to different circumstances, making them a more desirable choice for young men. In contrast, city girls are seen as less willing to confront challenges and difficult situations, which impacts marriage decisions in both environments.
She adds, “However, in the last decade of conflict, social data has revealed a different reality. City life has become harder than life in the countryside due to rising rent prices and the lack of electricity and water services. In contrast, water is available in the countryside from springs and farmland, making the cost of living lower.”
Basaid explained that the cost of living in the city has risen significantly, forcing many families to move to the countryside and rent out their homes to meet their needs. In addition, some modern customs and traditions in the city require a girl to marry and live in her own home to avoid potential problems with the groom’s family.
Challenges of the Countryside
Official reports indicate that more than 60% of Yemenis live in rural areas. Sanaa, an ambitious young woman who moved from the countryside to the city to pursue her dream of higher education, shares some of the challenges faced by girls in rural areas. She says: “In the countryside, choosing a life partner is not subject to important criteria, and marriage is a necessity governed by specific traditions. In the city, I find myself facing new opportunities and broader goals. Marriage is no longer the only solution available to me.”
Nabila (40 years old, a rural teacher in a school in Ibb Governorate) adds: “Spinsterhood in the countryside has seen a significant rise in recent years, as many girls refuse early marriage and prefer to continue their university education. Rural women are more aware than ever before and aim to prove themselves first before considering marriage, considering it a destiny that will come at the right time.”
The Marriage Gap Between City and Countryside
The marriage gap between the countryside and the city involves a range of social, economic, and cultural factors that influence marriage choices and timing. Cultural norms and traditions have a stronger influence in rural communities, where marriage is seen as a necessary step and a key social obligation. In contrast, cities are more open to a variety of choices, including education and employment.
Economic opportunities are also influential factors, which can lead to delaying marriage for young women and men seeking financial independence. In contrast, economic options in the countryside may be limited, making marriage a quicker choice. Cities witness a growing awareness among women regarding their rights and independence, which may lead them to delay marriage. However, in rural areas, there may be greater pressure to conform to social norms. In terms of age gaps, early marriage is preferred in the countryside, while in cities, a higher percentage of people prefer to wait until they complete their education and become financially stable.
Social researcher Amal Baqareen says, “The differences in marriage practices between city and countryside youth are evident in rural areas. Parents take charge of arranging engagements and marriages for their children, pushing young people to marry early. This leads to a close age gap between spouses and children, and reduces the rate of spinsterhood.”
She added, “Customs and traditions play a major role in the disparity in marriage rates between the countryside and cities. In rural areas, for example, marriage is characterized by traditional practices, where a young man marries someone from the same family. Marriage often happens at an early age for both girls and boys, and a young man can get married while still in school. This is because villages have strong social connections between their residents, minimizing the obstacles that might hinder marriage in cities.”
She continues, “On the other hand, economic conditions play a major role in delaying marriage in the city. A young man has to work to establish his own home before taking the step of getting married. When he decides to get married, he often chooses a younger woman. Many people marry in their thirties or later, contributing to the rising rates of spinsterhood. City girls also prefer to complete their education before marriage.”
She believes that this situation requires government intervention by providing free education at all levels to ease the financial burden on young people, and by creating job opportunities specifically for city youth, who are more affected by these conditions.
Community activist Maha Abdul-Aziz (a countryside resident) also says, “There are differences in the attitudes of young people regarding marriage between the city and countryside. Several factors play a role in these differences. Rural youth tend to choose younger women for marriage, influenced by families, especially mothers and sisters. This sometimes leads to girls getting married at a young age, under 18, which raises concerns about the impact of these practices on their future.”
She points out that marriage rates between the city and the countryside differ. Cities have higher marriage rates compared to the countryside. This is because many rural residents face difficult economic conditions. Families suffer from low incomes and high unemployment rates. Many fail to complete their education, leading to fewer job opportunities. This negatively impacts their ability to marry at the appropriate time.
Anwaar Ahmad (a rural girl) agrees with this view, noting that spinsterhood in rural areas is more prominent due to the interconnected and small nature of rural communities. Everyone knows each other, making the situation of unmarried or divorced girls clear and known to everyone.
Differences in Costs
Community activist Amna Abood confirmed that spinsterhood is less prevalent in rural areas compared to cities. This is due to several factors, including the decline in dowry values and the lower costs associated with weddings compared to cities. There are also social initiatives that require paying specific amounts for sons from the same village.
Marriage rates in rural areas are higher than in cities due to several reasons. A key factor is that rural youth often marry before completing their education. Parents take on the responsibility of arranging their children’s marriages, allowing young men to stay with their families, making it easier for them to continue their education and find work after marriage. This contributes to higher marriage rates in rural areas.
Young people in cities face significant challenges that make marriage difficult. They often have to complete their education and find a job to become self-sufficient before deciding to marry in cities. They bear the full responsibility of marriage on their own. Many residents face difficult economic conditions, leading some to work at an early age to cover educational expenses.
Community activist Zahra Faraj confirms that marriages in villages are simple and accessible compared to cities. Wedding ceremonies are held at the village elder’s house or a neighbor’s, without any financial compensation from the groom. The bride may live in the groom’s family home without needing a separate house, as is common in cities. This reflects the desire of most rural residents to focus on the groom’s character and respect for tradition, without considering his financial wealth. There’s a specific cost limit within each village or family, but the costs can increase if the groom is from outside the village.
It’s noticeable that marriage rates differ between cities and rural areas, but the lack of accurate official statistics makes it difficult to present a clear and reliable picture of the differences in marriage rates or spinsterhood. Therefore, estimating spinsterhood levels in cities compared to rural areas relies on individual perspectives and experiences, not reliable data. This absence of statistics opens the door to interpretations and opinions that may be biased or inaccurate, making a scientific understanding of the phenomenon complex.