The Attitude of the Jordanian Society Toward Early Marriage: A Field Study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to focus on the attitude of the Jordanian society toward early marriage. This field study was held by the use of a questionnaire especially designed and distributed to a sample at random of males and females. The questionnaire took into consideration that there were several changing factors involving the study. A total of 500 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 462 copies were recovered. The study used the method of statistical analysis. The study concluded that the trends of the Jordanian society toward early marriage were positive. However, this did not mean that there were no negative factors as agreed by all respondents to the questionnaire. One of the most important social reasons for early marriage was the domination of the parents over their children and their decision to resort to marrying off their daughters at an early age. The respondents to the questionnaire also agreed that the good economic standards of the young man willing to get married at an early age is viewed by most families as a reason for getting rid of the burdens and expenses of the bridge. The majority of the respondents to the questionnaire also agreed that early marriage had a negative impact on the social, economic, health and educational aspects of the married couple, particularly that it leads to violence against women and children; an increased rate of divorce; emotional, psychological and social unrest in women; and an increased rate of poverty. The negative effects also lead to a deteriorating economic situation of the family, unemployment, increased ignorance, and denying girls the opportunity to complete their education.