تأخر سن الزواج للجنسين بولاية الخرطوم بعض المسببات والمؤثرات النفسية

Abstract

This study focuses on how and why an increasing number of Sudanese youth are either unmarried, or married at a late age. Within the larger Sudanese community the study is conducted in Khartoum State. While the theoretical part of the study maps both theoretical and historical aspects of the issue at stake, three empirical studies were conducted: a survey using a questionnaire, interviews with some experts, and a focus group study where groups of men and women of the same professional background were brought together and requested to discuss the reasons why Sudanese youth are either unmarried, or married at a late age. The hypothesis the present study is based on is that marriage is both a social and physiological necessity, and the major cause of a late age marriage is the high rate of unemployment, and low income. Displacement from rural to urban areas and migration outside the country are also assumed to be reasons behind the phenomenon under research. Growing influence of western culture on the Sudanese youth is one more reason hypothesized by the researcher as being behind the late age marriage or the unmarried status of many Sudanese youth. From the methodological perspective this study adopts a descriptive approach. In this context the study samples 200 men and women through a questionnaire, 30 men and women taking part in focus groups, and eight experts were also interviewed . Data collected are statistically analyzed using the statistical Chi Square test. In addition to other results, the study findings support the assumption that low income is one root cause for late age marriage and/or unmarried status. Displacement from rural to urban areas is also a cause for delayed marriage and/or unmarried status.