Marriage: Late is not better

Marriage is a social institution on which society is built, a very necessary and important institution in society that promotes social stability and endures fluctuating emotions notwithstanding. Marriage is considered by sociologists to be cultural and universal i.e., it exists in some form in all societies. Kashmir has faced its effects because of modernity, materialism, and cultural diffusion which directly or indirectly effects the institution of marriage. In Kashmir Valley what we are witnessing nowadays is the emergence of Late Marriages as a new trend and this has become a common notion. The signs of Late marriages have been seen in Valley in the recent past but should not be given air.

There are innumerable reasons for the increase in the age of Marriage in recent years. The first and foremost reason is securing a good job. For both males and females higher education has become important because of which Marriage has taken a back seat as after completion of higher education it takes them two to three years to get a job and settle down till then the age reaches 32- 36 years. Other reasons that would be considered for late marriages are Poverty, Unemployment, underemployment, and big lavish weddings. It has become a conviction in Kashmir that Marriage Ceremonies are not as simple as they used to be earlier. Marriages include Wazwan, costly clothes, accessories, copperware, and the exchange of gifts that have the most undesirable element.

Dowry also leads young adults from middle-class and poor families to not get married at right time. People don’t compromise on conditions at all which is really a bad thing prevalent in society. There is seen modernity everywhere around that too in everything but still, some non-welcoming elements exist in a society like Endogamy I.e., Caste System and Class System has still there say in Valley. Jammu and Kashmir has the highest number of unmarried couples in the age group of 15- 29 that’s 29.1% which is not a good sign for any developing country or state that requires and marks growth years. Late Marriages have a bad impact on society. It impacts people psychologically and emotionally. It leads to huge pressure on parents as well whose children are yet to get married because of some unruly reasons. This social menace that exists because of people’s unethical demands and conditions can lead to depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, temper issues, high chances of restlessness, behavioral changes, and loss of self-confidence among people and can have destructive impact on society as one can deviate from right path because of chaos going in life.

People should take into consideration this issue of Late Marriage and should not give way to the dowry System, High profile weddings, exchange of gifts, and class System during matchmaking. Our society highly needs to pave way for the concept of Live and Let Live than only something can happen as society requires a change to end social evils.

The author can be mailed at afreenmanzoor34@gmail.com