Informal Marriage Research Articles

The Rise of Informal Unions in the MENASA Region

Abstract This article examines the nature of informal marriages using data from a 2018 survey of over ten thousand Facebook users in seven Muslim-majority countries: Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Palestine, Tunisia, and Turkey. The article explores current attitudes toward informal marriages as well as the nature of such unions among the predominantly Sunni and Shiʿi Muslim social-media users who took the survey. First, the article finds that informal marriages have diffused across the Sunni Muslim world. These marriages are not necessarily loveless unions between women of modest means looking for financial support and men seeking legitimate sexual partners. In fact, the survey suggests that women in such unions are less likely to be financially dependent on their partners. Informally married spouses are as likely to say that they love their partners as those who are formally wed. However, this love, whether in formal or informal marriages, does not necessarily entail a deep bond between partners who share their most intimate feelings. Marriage—whether formal or informal—is perceived as fragile, not a lifelong commitment. The rates of divorce in the countries surveyed are approaching those in the West. These informal marriages might therefore be thought of as a new form of cohabitation, a practice increasing throughout the world.

РОЖДАЕМОСТЬ НА ДАЛЬНЕМ ВОСТОКЕ РОССИИ: ТЕНДЕНЦИИ, ПРИЧИНЫ, ПУТИ РЕШЕНИЯ

Significance. Given the current trends in demographic development, the existing disproportion between the population and the vast territory of the Far Eastern Federal District may significantly increase in the future, which will intensify certain concerns about a possible violation of the geopolitical balance out here. Fertility indicators have revealed the main demographic risk zones of the regions of the eastern territories. The purpose of the study is to analyze dynamics in birth rates in the Russian Far East, gender composition and age structure of the population to identify risk zones when taking effective measures to improve the situation. Material and methods. The analysis used World Health Organization data, databases and collections of Rosstat and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation by federal district and region of Russia, information on the implementation of the National Demography Project. Results. Determining trends in dynamics in birth rates in the Russian Far East shows that in urban areas of the Far Eastern regions, the type of demographic behavior inherent in the newcomer population and focused on having one child prevails, while in rural areas the traditions of the indigenous population are preserved. Until 2015, relatively high birth rates were recorded in “national” regions with the predominance of populations belonging to the indigenous people of the North and the Far East, in whose culture large families are accepted. The mother’s average age is increasing, there was a shift in the age of first-time mothers (20-24 years) to an older age group (25-29 years and 30-34 years). A decline in fertility in the near future will be due to a significant reduction in the number of women of reproductive age, especially in its active phase (20–39 years). A new model of marital and, as a result, reproductive behavior of young families is being formed. From the point of view of marital behavior, it implies an increase in the age at first marriage, refusal of marriage, popularity of informal marriage, etc. From the point of view of reproductive behavior, it involves postponing births in marriage until material standards are achieved, as well as in the interests of increasing one’s social status. Conclusion. One of the promising areas for improving the demographic situation is the adoption of effective social measures and programs to increase birth rates in young families. Only a rising dynamics in birth rates can give a real and sustainable impetus to stabilizing fertility for the national security of the eastern territories.

زواج القاصرات المعاصر وبيان الاختلاف عليه في ضوء الشريعة الإسلامية

Contemporary child marriage has become a noticeable phenomenon in recent times, spreading rapidly and extensively. This research aims to clarify the concept of minors and elucidate the reasons and motivations behind the prevalent phenomenon of child marriage, both in the past and in contemporary society. The study reveals that there are social, economic, health, and psychological factors contributing to this issue. The research adopted a descriptive and inductive approach to investigate the reasons for marrying minors, based on an analysis of books and studies that discussed the motives for such marriages and the legal rulings on marrying minors. Additionally, the negative consequences of child marriages were examined. The research yielded findings, including the definition of a minor as someone who has not reached the legal age for marriage and is incapable of assuming marital responsibilities. The economic circumstances of the guardian sometimes force them to marry off their daughters to avoid the financial burden. Some parents resort to informal marriages, which the law prohibits, thus denying minors their rights. The study also highlighted the physical and mental health risks associated with child marriages, such as weakened immunity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues. Research has also documented cases of minors dying within a year of marriage. In conclusion, this research contributes to clarifying the concept of minors, uncovering the reasons for child marriages, and explaining the legal rulings regarding such unions.

The practice of informal marriages in the Muslim world: a comparative portrait

ABSTRACT Informal marriages have been on the rise in recent years in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region. These unions are different from formal marriages in a number of ways. There are also many factors contributing to the growing popularity of such unions. Both men and women are delaying marriage; rates of formal marriage are declining; and rates of divorce are increasing. Because such unions are generally not registered, it has been difficult to document the growing popularity of this trend. In 2018, we used Facebook (FB) banner ads in seven Muslim-majority countries to survey the young computer-literate populations of Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Palestine, Tunisia, and Turkey, as well as their respective diasporas, to better understand the nature of such unions. Our respondents, we hope, are a representative sample of younger people who are living or have lived in these nations, and who are using this social media site. Over 10,000 respondents provided us with information about their marital status. This paper examines the marital histories of those engaged in informal marriages, their sexual orientations, and the attitudes of formally and informally married respondents about informal marriage. Who engages in informal marriage and what do married people think of this marital form.

Overview of Knowledge of Generation Z Youth Regarding Early Marriage

Generation Z youth, born from 1995 to 2010, are national assets that need attention, especially regarding their growth and development (Dewi and Ulfah, 2021). Early marriage is a formal or informal marriage where one of the bride and groom is less than 18 years old (Kemen PPPA, 2020). In 2018, an estimated 1,220,900 children were married before the age of 18 (BPS, 2020). This type of research is a quantitative descriptive which was carried out in October 2022. Data was obtained by distributing online questionnaires to respondents (students) at SMAN 1 Ngadiluwih, Kediri, East Java. Univariate data analysis was carried out to determine the frequency and percentage of research variables. There were 236 respondents involved where 51.69% (122 respondents) were able to answer questions correctly. Adolescent knowledge related to early marriage for Generation Z youth at SMAN 1 Ngadiluwih is in the less category, so it needs to be increased by conducting outreach activities and providing information related to early marriage, especially for Generation Z youth.

Demographic trends in Ukraine – maternity assessment

The article presents the demographic situation in Ukraine, which is the most important component of economic, military, and social security in the country. The peculiarities of the demographic situation in Ukraine are demonstrated, which are formed under the influence of external and internal factors, including natural conditions, the basic gene pool, legal, moral and religious norms, administrative and regulatory acts, ecological living conditions, etc. Factors affecting the possibility of stable demographic growth are presented. The topic of informal marriage and family relations is highlighted. The trend of the gradual decrease in the number of marriages in Ukraine in recent years and the stabilization of the number of divorces was analyzed. the natural increase of the population has become negative and steadily continues to decrease, the general mortality rate of the population is one of the highest among European countries. The issue of high mortality of the working-age population is highlighted, while the following sex-age differentiation should be noted as a significant feature: in all age groups of the population from 20 to 50 years, the mortality rate of men is three times higher than that of women. It was analyzed that the natural increase of the population became negative and steadily continues to decrease, the level of total mortality of the population is one of the highest among European countries. The problem of migration is highlighted, that a large number of Ukrainians working abroad not only earn money, but also look for an opportunity to stay and live there forever. If we take into account all the factors that affect the possibility of stable demographic growth, we can say that achieving it is a difficult task.

Comparative Study: The Concept of Legitimate Children in The Perspective of Positive Law and Islamic Law

The interpretation of legal children is endless to discuss, considering that various problems continue to color the dimensions of marriage. Marriage issues that cannot be separated from turmoil to vent interest without obeying religious norms and applicable laws. As a result, it gives birth to a view of the validity of the relationship through informal marriage or that it is not at all bound by the bonds of marriage.Therefore, the indicators of legitimate children are interesting to discuss, in order to get factual answers to the criteria for legitimate children in state law and Islamic law. This study is classified as a literature review that examines the normative juridical and theological aspects. This research is explanatory by examining various laws and regulations relating to children.The summarized data will be analyzed using qualitative analysis and relevant to the theoretical aspects. The findings in this study are that the legitimate child under positive law is determined by the legality of marriage and if the child is out of wedlock still oriented to the legality of marriage. Meanwhile, in Islamic law, it is stipulated as a legitimate child if born from a legitimate marriage, if a child outside of marriage must have a span of six months between the marriage contract and the birth of a child.The implication of this finding is that legally married is the way to give birth to the best generation, because the consequences of illegitimate marriage will adversely affect the generation that was born.

Child Marriage in Canada

AbstractChild marriage, defined as formal or informal marriage before the age of 18, is a globally recognized indicator of gender inequality. Canada has placed itself at the forefront of global efforts to end child marriage as part of its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Despite these global aspirations, child marriage remains legal throughout Canada. Data from vital statistics agencies and recent censuses indicate that child marriage, although rare, is practiced across the country. In 2016, nearly 2,300 children between 15 and 17 years of age were in union, a prevalence of 0.2 percent. The vast majority (98 percent) of these were informal, common‐law unions. Demographic patterns of child marriage in Canada are similar to those observed in many low‐ and middle‐income countries. Girls were far more likely to be married as children than boys and typically wed much older spouses. There were marked differences in the prevalence of child marriage across the country, with the highest estimates found in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the territories. These findings draw attention to the discrepancy between Canada's domestic law and its foreign policy. They also highlight thorny challenges inherent in efforts to eradicate this practice in Canada and elsewhere.

The main system value orientations of the personality

The article is devoted to the problem of systemic value orientations of the personality of girls who are officially and informally married. In the modern world, the values of the family are very strongly influenced by negative trends, non-observance of traditions, unstable marriages, and the collapse of moral norms. Creating a family and fostering values for modern society is a difficult task. The purpose of the study: to identify the value orientations of young girls who are in an informal and official marriage. The paper consistently solves the following problems: the concept of value orientations is considered; the position of the family in the system of value orientations of girls who are in an informal and official marriage is revealed; domestic and foreign approaches to the study of value orientations are compared. Research methods: theoretical and empirical methods were used to solve the tasks set. As a result of the conducted empirical research, the formulated hypothesis is proved, the following tasks are solved: the value orientations of girls who are in an informal and official marriage are compared; the meaning of girls ' lives is investigated; the degree of satisfaction with marriage is revealed.

Türkiye’de Kuma Evliliklerinin Nedenleri Üzerine Sosyolojik Bir Analiz: Hatay-Samandağ Örneği | Sociological Analyses on Reasons of Co-wife Marriages in Turkey: Hatay-Samandağ Examples

Evli erkeklerin mevcut eşinin üzerine başka bir kadınla gayriresmî olarak evlenmesi olarak tanımlanan kumalık dünyada ve Türkiye’de eskiye oranla sayısal olarak azalma gösterse de bazı bölgelerde hâlâ görülebilmektedir. Söz konusu evliliklerin başta ekonomi, göç, eğitim eksikliği, toplumsal cinsiyet ve geleneksel değerler olmak üzere birçok nedeni bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada bir toplumsal olgu/sorun olan kuma evliliklerinin nedenleri Hatay ili Samandağ ilçesi örneği üzerinden analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemi ve derinlemesine görüşme tekniği kullanılmıştır. 16 ilk eş ve 16 kuma olmak üzere toplamda 32 kadınla görüşülmüştür.

Effect of marriage registration on fertility and intrahousehold distribution in Thailand

AbstractResearch has shown that changes in the marriage and family laws generally affect the formation, welfare distribution, and dissolution of marriage. However, little is known about the effects of constituting state‐sanctioned marriage as opposed to informal marriage, where these laws do not fully apply. The present paper studied the effects of formal marriage registration on fertility outcomes and intrahousehold distribution among married couples in Thailand. Using data from the 1993 Survey for the Status of Women and Fertility in Thailand (SWAFT), it was found that marriage registration increases the number of children in a family and enhances women's contribution to and control of household finances. These results suggest that formal marriage registration promotes spousal cooperation and increases the welfare of women, supporting recent policy efforts in many developing countries in the development and expansion of vital registration systems.

Modern family: Texas critical care clinicians need to know about informal marriage

Critical care clinicians are legally and ethically obligated to identify the appropriate surrogate decision-makers for patients who lack capacity and cannot make medical decisions for themselves. When the identification of the appropriate surrogate is streamlined, patient care is improved due to an uninterrupted and consistent plan of care that adheres to patient preferences. However, the process of identifying this “appropriate” person can be complex, especially as interpersonal relationships have evolved over time. One such modern family relationship is informal marriage, a Texas-specific relationship formerly known as “common-law” marriage. Though crucially important, this relationship is can difficult to recognize and frequently misunderstood.
 Utilizing a case study that illustrates the impact the existence of an informal marriage has on medical decision-making, this paper seeks to demystify informal marriage by outlining what makes a relationship an informal marriage and provide tools to assist clinicians with identifying it. In an age where non-traditional relationships are more common, Texas critical care clinicians should be familiar enough with informal marriage to recognize it in their patients in order to efficiently identify surrogates and therefore improve patient care.

Legal Protection of Women In Unregistered Inter-Citizen Marriage

The phenomenon of unregistered inter-citizen marriage has been rife in several places in Indonesia. As a result of such marriages, women often have no legal power and can not obtain legal identity rights such as marriage certificates, birth certificates for their children, including material rights such as joint property and property ownership. This study examines the process of informal marriages between citizens as well as examining the extent to which the state provides legal protection to women who engage in informal marriage. The method and approach taken are normative juridical by utilizing secondary data sources in the form of legislation, books, and scientific journals. The results show that the emergence of an unregistered inter-citizen marriage is mostly due to the incompleteness of the documents needed from the country of origin of the prospective husband. To overcome this problem, the state has protected women in the form of preventive and restitutive protection women involved in intermarriages can obtain a clear legal position and protection.

Alienação parental na vigência do casamento e da união estável e tutela coletiva

The article aims to present provisions of laws and studies on acts of parental alienation practiced against children and adolescents in force or after the validity of marriage and informal marriage capable of provoking in the victims the syndrome of parental alienation. In order to allow a better understanding of the subject, the concepts of alienation, parental alienation and alienation syndrome were presented. In order to allow a good understanding of the subject, the psychological and psychiatric studies developed in the United States of America by Richard Alan Gardner on the syndrome of parental alienation were presented. The use of the public civil action was defended to protect the rights of children and adolescents victims of acts of parental alienation. It was recommended to disseminate such studies in academic environments in general.

The human right to marry: a refugee’s perspective

In the European Court of Human Rights cases of Muñoz Díaz v Spain in 2009 (Muñoz Díaz v Spain [2009], Application No. 49151/07) and Serife Yigit v Turkey in 2010 (Serife Yegit [2010], Application No. 3976/05), involving unregistered/informal ‘marriages’ of a Roma couple and a Muslim couple, respectively, the Grand Chamber took the position that civil marriages are available to all people in the state without distinction and therefore no breach of Article 12’s right to marry (nor Article 14’s prohibition of discrimination) had occurred when the respective states failed to recognise the informal marriages of the applicants. This article considers these two cases, and asks whether the court’s position is challenged by migrants/refugees, whose access to formal marriages maybe impeded due to a lack of identity and status documentation.

Marriage, Gender and Islam in Indonesia: Women Negotiating Informal Marriage, Divorce, and Desire, by Maria Platt

Marriage, Gender and Islam in Indonesia: Women Negotiating Informal Marriage, Divorce, and Desire, by Maria Platt

Intersectionalities of formality of marital status and women’s risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence in Rwanda

abstractIndashyikirwa is an intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention programme being implemented by CARE International Rwanda, Rwanda Women’s Network and Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre in Rwanda. One critical aspect of the programme is a 5-month curriculum to promote equitable, violence-free relationships among formally and informally married heterosexual couples. This article complements existing evidence in Rwanda around how formality of marital status influences women’s access to rights, social status, risk and protective factors for IPV, and highlights barriers to formalising marriage – primarily lack of financial means and gendered inequalities. It draws on research of Indashyikirwa, including interviews with 15 male and 15 female partners of formally and informally married couples, 9 community leaders, 3 women’s space facilitators, 9 staff members, 12 community activists and 24 focus groups with community members. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in Kinyarwanda, transcribed and translated into English, and analysed thematically. The findings indicate poor legal protection and related limited institutional responses for informally married women who experience IPV. An intersectional lens supports recommendations to address such inequalities, including raising awareness among women in informal marriages about strategies to ensure rights for themselves and their children, and to legally acknowledge informal unions after a certain period of cohabitation.

Husbands and Fathers

We know relatively little about enslaved men, especially African-born men in British West Indian slave societies, in their roles as fathers and husbands within slave households. A generation of scholarship on gender in slave societies has tended to neglect enslaved men, thus allowing old understandings of enslaved men as not very involved with families drawn from biased planter sources to continue to shape scholarship. This article instead draws on a rich set of records (both quantitative and qualitative) from Berbice in British Guiana between 1819 and 1834 to explore enslaved men’s roles within informal marriages and as husbands and parents. We show not only that enslaved men were active participants in shaping family life within British West Indian slave societies but that they were aided and abetted in achieving some of their familial objectives by a sympathetic plantation regime in which white men favored enslaved men within enslaved households.

Marital behavior of the elderly population in Serbia

The aim of this paper is to examine contemporary marital behavior of the population in Serbia older than 65 years. Models of marital behavior are a reflection of culture, tradition, local customs, economic status, cultural and historical heritage, and as such are subject to change. Extending the life expectancy of the population, and the change of socio-economic and cultural circumstances, had led to changing in marital behavior and marital structure of the old population. To track these changes and comprehend the current situation, we analyzed indicators such as the marriage and divorce rates for this age group, as well as current marital structure, comparing them with previous values. It is particularly noteworthy that for the first time (based on data from the 2011 census), we can analyze the frequency and characteristics of informal marriage unions (cohabitation), which provides important insights into the marital life of the elderly.

KVALITET I STABILNOST BRAČNOG ODNOSA U RAZLIČITIM FAZAMA BRAKA

Brojna istraživanja, iz drugih zemalja, ukazuju da prelaz iz bračnog razdoblja bez dece u bračno razdoblje kada supružnici dobijaju decu, nužno menja i otežava bračne odnose. Takođe je utvrđeno da majčinstvo znatno više deluje na život žene, nego što očinstvo deluje na život muškarca. Istraživanja pokazuju da dolazi do promena i u narednim fazama braka, ali su nalazi za celokupni bračni tok nekonzistentni – od ustanovljenih promena u kvalitetu bračnog odnosa u obliku slova U, do nalaza da kvalitet bračnog odnosa ima stalnu tendenciju pada. Imajući u vidu kulturno-istorijske specifičnosti našeg podneblja, cilj istraživanja prikazanog ovim radom je bio da utvrdi postoje li značajne razlike u kvalitetu i stabilnosti bračnog odnosa između grupa žena koje se nalaze u različitim fazama braka, i, ukoliko postoje, kakve su strukture tih razlika u odnosu na bračna razdoblja. Utvrđeno je da se grupe žena koje pripadaju različitim bračnim razdobljima međusobno značajno razlikuju, i to tako da žene u svakoj narednoj bračnoj fazi percipiraju svoj bračni odnos manje kvalitetnim, a istovremeno stabilnijim. Rezultati ovog transferzalnog istraživanja govore u prilog pretpostavkama da prelazak na roditeljstvo značajno povećava stabilnost braka, a da kvalitet, i posebno zadovoljstvo brakom, konstantno opada kako se prelazi iz jednog bračnog razdoblja u drugo, od početka do kraja bračnog kontinuuma. Ove pretpostavke svakako treba proveriti longitudinalnim istraživanjem u našoj sredini. Međutim, ne sme se gubiti iz vida da, bez obzira što postoje statistički značajne međugrupne razlike, između žena koje se nalaze u istom bračnom razdoblju postoje i velika individualna odstupanja, te samo na osnovu bračnih razdoblja nije moguće vršiti pouzdane individualne predikcije.