International Journal Advances in Social Science and Humanities
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Ansari Naila, Kapoor AK|Oct. 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 10 |08-15 8
The Propensity of Marital Adjustment Level and their Potential
Impact on Quality of Life among Muslim Women of Northern India
Ansari Naila*
, Kapoor AK
Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
Abstract
The adjustment of married mates is unlike any other human relationship it many condition of friendship groups, work groups, or religious group but the husband and wife relationship differs. A study has focused on marital adjustment level of the Sunni Muslim women belonged from Kareli, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh through directly examined different factors especially in distinct five Marriage patterns including newly married couple, Long duration couple, Divorcee & first marriage and Divorcee & divorce marriage; and also consider pre-marital person in order to find out the perception towards marital life. The divorce rate in India is increasing. Therefore it is important to identify problems in marital adjustments. This study aims to find probable reasons for divorce, whereas parental support and having children were protective factors for good adjustment. Woman mainly considered in study is between 15 to 65 years of age. To analyze the marital adjustment of the Muslim women with respect to certain selected socio-demographic variables; studies have shown that effective communication, social-support have an impact on marital adjustment among married couples.
Keywords: Marital Adjustment, Sunni Muslim women, Divorce, Allahabad.
Introduction
Marriage is a union between a man and a woman. In various cultures people marry for various reasons. Some marry for the fun of it, while others marry for economic reasons, to take cover under the protective wings of the proposed rich spouse. Thus, defining the term marriage is not an easy one because of the diversities in the systems of marriage the world over. Marriage can be defined as a legal term describing certain relationship concerning individuals in order to fulfil three different types of needs: material, sexual and psychological. All the marriages are aimed at happiness in one or another way. Most couples marry filled up with expectations. Some of the expectations will be realistic while others unrealistic. However all marriages do not end up in happiness. Conflicts, strained relationships and burn out are common in most marriages. The stress experienced by the couple, especially the women, is considered to be the main cause of most of the marital discords. Each marriage has its own growth and conflict patterns. Some marriages
satisfy the couples’ various material needs, but not their sexual or psychological needs. Apart from love, there are other factors that could contribute to a satisfactory marriage. Some of these factors are money, beauty, intelligence, education, family and pedigree, to a name few. In addition, this relationship has both positive and negative sides: the former creates and develops self-esteem, satisfactions, regard, security, sense of integrity and capacity of adjustment, and the latter develops anxiety, stress, embarrassment, insecurity, aggression and even violence within and between partners.
Ansari Naila, Kapoor AK|Oct. 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 10 |08-15 9 maladjustments and failure in interpersonal
relationships. Marital adjustment being a complex process and its antagonism is a serious social problem, which encompasses a number of socio-behavioural dimensions that affect the very fabric of family structure and life itself, requires a comprehensive study of this multifaceted phenomenon. It also serves to reduce the marital differences, reduce tensions between the spouses and to increase the cohesion of the couple and their agreement on issues that affect the marital functioning. Marital adjustment is the state in which there is an overall feeling in husband and wife of happiness and satisfaction with their marriage; it calls for maturity that accepts and understands growth and development in the spouse. If this growth is not experienced and realized fully, death in marital relationship is inevitable.
The main objective of the present study is to studying the factor of marital adjustment in sampled Sunni Muslim women of distinct marriage pattern.
Methodology
Study Location
To make a detailed study about the marital adjustment of Muslim women of Allahabad; field work was conducted in Kareli of Allahabad district. It is the single Muslim majority area in Allahabad city where Muslims constitute major percent of the total population.
A multi-stage random sampling method was adopted for the study consisted of 600 Sunni Muslim women respondent 150 from each marriage pattern in the age between 15-65 years Research study can be undertaken on a sample belonging to Muslim women of different Marriage pattern; Newly married women, Married women of long duration, Divorcee and first marriage and Divorcee and divorce that may be replicated for more valuable information about their marital life; for the sake of the percent study altogether a sample of 600 Muslim women respondents considered from different household in which newly married women categorized up to marriage of 7 years only; first of all selection of household considered according to availability of divorced couple, then after all total collection of data more focus over newly married and long duration married couple household selected which are easily available; the total sample is selected equally i.e. 150 respondent from each sects.
For understanding the current social scenario and thought of marital life among Muslim community more weight assigned to 150 unmarried Muslim girls also; equal importance is given to the each sects of these groups from different 600 household to avoid selection of two or more selection of couple from one houses, so that the sample reflects the real picture of their marital adjustment.
Table 1: Population covered by the study
Marriage Pattern Number of Households Number of person Size of Households Percent
Newly married women 150 720 4.8 21.6
Long duration married women 150 975 6.5 29.2
Divorcee and First marriage 150 795 5.3 23.7
Divorcee and Divorce 150 855 5.7 25.5
Total 600 3345 5.5 100
Methods
The study uses primary and secondary data. The primary data for the study have been collected through survey conducted among women among of Kareli with a structured schedule. The secondary data are derived from books, Journals, reports and news papers. The data collected were suitably classified and analysed, keeping in view the objectives of the study.
Data Analysis
The date collected administering the pre-tested schedules, tabulated, and analyzed data was done through the computer application using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS 20).
Ethical Consideration
Ansari Naila, Kapoor AK|Oct. 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 10 |08-15 10 Ethics Committee of University of Delhi,
Delhi - 07.
Result and Discussion
Marital Adjustments
The purpose of this study is in Kareli context the phenomenon of marital adjustment. This research would be so helpful in knowing the difficulties faced by women of sampled area that they spend in their simple married life. Because our society is man-oriented society, women have to face all problems. This study will give valuable information that what are the many causes behind women’s depression and stress during marital adjustment.
Couples Live Happily Together and Enjoy Equal Right and Status
Study showed 55.2 per cent of the sampled women believe a system of social organization and family generally dominance by male; and imposed certain limitations on women. Women's rights are the rights and entitlements claimed for women and girls of many societies; in sampled population, 21.6 percent of respondent women inherent the proper right that institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behavior of the family; whereas 10.3 percent of women don’t know their right and entitlements.
Table 2: Couples live happily together and enjoy equal right and status
Marriage pattern
Do you think couples live happily together and enjoy equal right and status?
Total Male
dominant female
Female dominants
male
Equal
right Don’t know
No % No % No % No % No %
Newly married women 76 50.6 18 12 41 27.4 15 10 150 100 Long duration married
women 59 39.3 32 21.4 38 25.3 21 14 150 100
Divorcee and First marriage 102 68 16 10.7 23 15.3 9 6 150 100 Divorcee and Divorcee 94 62.6 10 6.7 29 19.3 17 11.4 150 100 Total 331 55.2 77 12.9 130 21.6 62 10.3 600 100
Trust to Each Other
Build trust is one of the most important aspects of a relationship; it is only then will couple really know the core of each other and learn to trust each other. As a couple 61.1 percent have to give value and trust to each other and will live
harmoniously; they trust each other have cannot live without each other; whereas 38.9 percent of married women don't trust to each other anymore; in a way, their relationship is become uncomfortable. Without trust, couples might be more likely to split in times of crises, fail at getting intimate, and have doubts about each other.
Table 3: Trusts to each other
Marriage pattern
Do you trust to each other?
Total
Yes No
No % No % No %
Newly married women 98 65.3 52 34.7 150 100
Long duration married women 104 69.4 46 30.6 150 100
Divorcee and First marriage 79 52.6 71 47.4 150 100
Divorcee and Divorce 86 57.3 64 42.7 150 100
Ansari Naila, Kapoor AK|Oct. 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 10 |08-15 11
Figure 1: Trust to each other Life to Live Over Again
Based on a study done of 600 married women; who were asked what they would do differently if they had life to live over again. They responded by 38.7 percent that had marry with the same person would
not change their choices whereas 35.9 dare to not married at all; they think that marital life live with all the hurt and pain; it's not on your hands that are causing problems. 3.8 percent women think if they could live life over again then they would definitely prefer to marry someone else to inherent the proper right.
Table 4: Life to live over again
Marriage pattern
If you had your life to live over again what would you think to do?
Total Marry the
same person
Marry the different
person
Not marry
at all Don’t know
No % No % No % No % No %
Newly married women 87 58 6 4 35 23.3 22 14.7 150 100
Long duration married women 63 42 3 2 46 30.6 38 25.4 150 100
Divorcee and First marriage 37 24.7 9 6 75 50 29 19.3 150 100
Divorcee and Divorcee 45 30 5 3.3 59 39.4 41 27.3 150 100
Total 232 38.7 23 3.8 215 35.9 130 21.6 600 100
Feeling with Partner
Any wives don't like to feel uncomfortable in any situation and try to maintain the strong relationship with their partner with total support from him whereas many Muslim husbands and wives in Kareli treat each other like adversaries rather than partners; 14.7 percent women feel a bit uncomfortable to their spouse. They make him feel like a failure if he does not give them the lifestyle that their friends and families enjoy. The husband feels that he is the boss, and whatever he says goes. The wife feels that she must squeeze everything she can out of her husband.
Where in 76.1 percent of cases; wives show that they are feel comfortable with their husband that they are satisfied with anything he does or buys for them in order to happy him.
9.2 percent women don’t want to talk much more about their relation; with the help of neighbor and key informer of these women
study are able to find out in most of the cases husbands speak very
harshly to their wives, humiliate them, and even physically abuse them. Their wives have no voice or opinion in the famil
Table 5: Feeling with partner
Marriage pattern
How do you feel with your partner?
Total Comfortable Uncomfortable Don’t know
No % No % No % No %
Newly married women 116 77.4 19 12.6 15 10 150 100
Long duration married women 128 85.3 13 8.7 9 6 150 100
Divorcee and First marriage 101 67.3 32 21.3 17 11.4 150 100
Divorcee and Divorcee 112 74.6 24 16 14 9.4 150 100
Total 457 76.1 88 14.7 55 9.2 600 100
98 52 150 104 46 150 79 71 150 86 64 150 367 233
600
0 500 1000
Newly married women
Long duration married women
Divorcee and First marriage
Divorcee and Divorce
Total
Yes
No
Ansari Naila, Kapoor AK|Oct. 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 10 |08-15 12
Affection from Partner
The marital adjustment between couple depends on affection, emotion transmitted from one party to the other; couple exchanging affectionate words and actions in order to establish the relationship between wife and husband on a good level. 58.5 percent women
success to established balance marital bonds with their husband and she got good affection by their husband. Marriage for other 41.5 percent respondent was not in mode of developing love and affection between their husbands; that does not allow any strength in their relationship.
Table 6: Affection from partner
Marriage pattern
Do you get affection from your partner that you want?
Total
Yes No
No % No % No %
Newly married women 83 55.4 67 44.6 150 100
Long duration married women 107 71.3 43 28.7 150 100
Divorcee and First marriage 65 43.4 85 56.6 150 100
Divorcee and Divorce 96 64 54 36 150 100
Total 351 58.5 249 41.5 600 100
Wish to not involved in married life
Women respondent, of course, not alone in deciding to leave her marriage especially when there are children involved, but 19.3 percent (116) of them frequently think about not to involve in married life whereas 21.8 percent women don’t wants split their stable relationship and married life .
The parental role is changed once children marry so family ignore as can as possible in matters of couple and let them know that they want to be involved in their lives. So no longer have this conflict arises and tries to balance their marital life; 21.5 percent women rarely to think that they are regret about their marital life.
Table 7: Ever wish had not involve in marital life
Marriage pattern
Do you ever wish you had not married?
Total Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never
No % No % No % No % No %
Newly married women 26 17.3 71 47.4 19 12.6 34 22.7 150 100
Long duration married women 12 8 37 24.7 55 36.7 46 30.6 150 100
Divorcee and First marriage 42 28 67 44.7 31 20.6 10 6.7 150 100
Divorcee and Divorce 37 24.6 48 32 24 16 41 27.4 150 100
Total 116 19.3 224 37.3 129 21.5 131 21.8 600 100
Summary and Findings
From the above analysis, we can conclude that the patriarchal ideology that prioritizes marriage and domesticity for women, low level of work participation, and limited autonomy in decision-making and early child bearing are the constraints that Muslim women experience.
Newly Married Women
A study can be made to find the distinct variation in the life of newlyweds
couples to improve marital adjustment; it may be because the first year can be called as the romantic period in marriage, in which the two personalities entering in to a loving space in which they fall in to each other and image altered by the experience and by their continuing relations to each other. Most of newly married women are not dependent on their husbands.
Long Duration Married Women
Ansari Naila, Kapoor AK|Oct. 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 10 |08-15 13 are regarded normal in the sampled
area. They do not have to depend on their husbands for day-today affairs. Most of them have a sound financial background. They utilize the opportunities given to them and take good care of their personal selves like being well dressed, applying make-up to enhance their beauty and many others. Long duration women demand privacy and enjoy private lives. They are economically secure. Due to the high economic security the women enjoy, they are found to be less dependent on others. Long duration married women have the happiness of being with their children during their formative periods. They have the ability to do domestic chores, freedom to do other personal things and relax.
Divorce and First Married Women
In the case of stress, the wives in Divorce and first marriage women respondent were found to experience the highest stress when compared with other Marriage pattern. Role ambiguity, huge family responsibilities, lack of communication with the husbands, to name a few, could be the reasons for high stress in wives in sampled area. In most of the houses, wives are expected to live with the husbands’ families. The husbands earn the money but wives do not have the freedom to utilize the money. In addition they have the responsibility of leading the family, fulfilling the requirements of their in-laws and children. The decision making is not done by the wives. Though they rear the children, they have to consult others for taking important decisions regarding children. Their opinions are not valued most of the time. Another problem faced by the wives is the social isolation and loneliness they feel in the absence of their husbands. The relatives may not be willing to visit their houses for fear of being asked for help. Even if they do pay visits, the wives may not feel free to discuss personal and
emotional problems with them. It is also not possible for them to discuss their problems with husbands over phone. Although communication facilities have increased, most of the husbands; the wives cannot expose their emotional feelings to their kith and kin and hence such feelings are suppressed. Even if they try to express the feelings, the husbands might not be able to accept. Naturally these wives get into a stressed state of mind and there are times when these wives end up with psychological problems such as depression and psychosomatic disorders. All the reasons mentioned above in relation to stress gives a clear explanation of the high stress experienced by the wives.
Divorce and First Marriage Women
Divorce and First Marriage Women have higher the levels of depression and more the stress, lower would be the marital adjustment. It indicates that depressed married women face adjustment problems in her married life. She also cannot take up responsibilities in her married life because she is under stress which in turn affects her household work, her relationship with spouse and other members of her family. They are dependent on their husbands for relief from stress which is seldom received and this stress creates more adjustment problems. It is observed that the husbands in the get engaged in social activities leaving behind the wives at home which creates more stress for wives, thereby affecting their marital adjustment. When a person is under stress she gets preoccupied with her stressors and even minor provoking situations spark negative reactions which have an adverse effect on her marital adjustment. Fun and romance usually gets lost between job stress and family stress.
Divorcee and Divorce
Ansari Naila, Kapoor AK|Oct. 2016 | Vol.4 | Issue 10 |08-15 14 adjustment than individuals in divorcee
and first marriage marriages. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety; In addition, women participants in our study were found to have more depressed compared to men; they believe that their husband involve some post marital affair, and he is not interested in her. This was similar to the several Muslim women who again divorce-seeking and reported to live alone without interference of any one in their life; very few of male respondents are able to discuss about this sensitive topic and status of women
Conclusion
and
Future
Enhancement
On the basis of the findings and conclusions of the study has very deep social implications to strength the marital bonds between the couples [1-17].
This can help / suggest
Couples to develop patience and tolerance and understanding for each other.
The importance of recreation, role distribution for smooth functioning marriage life.
Couples to owe respect and equality rights to each other regarding financial and family matters with special reference to females.
The young ambitious couples try to bring stability in their married life through spending quality time with each other.
Acknowledgement
It is my proud privilege to express my deep sense of gratitude to my esteemed
teacher and guide Prof. A.K.Kapoor,
under whose supervision and guidance I completed this work. I owe my sincere thanks to Vineet Kr Verma for his
consent encouragement, radiating
inspiration, and rich experience able guidance.
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