In a small straw poll on marrying young, most women raised financial stability and marital responsibilities, while most men approved of the practice to avoid “zina” (illicit sex).
The poll of 17 Malays mostly in their 20s by local daily Sinar Harian quoted several young women who said it was important to be financially secure themselves before thinking about marriage.
“I do want to get married young, but I need to think about my future and having assets. If I have my own money, then I can think that far. Most importantly, don’t trouble mom and dad,” university student Nur Halimatusaadiah Ahmad, 23, said.
A 27-year-old woman called Nurul Ain Mustaffa said getting married young was very desirable if household necessities were sufficient.
“This is because marriage is not just a ticket for romance; it’s full of heavy responsibilities,” the senior customer service officer was quoted saying.
University student Nurul Fatin Rameli, 25, said early marriage would make someone more responsible.
“Life after marriage is completely different compared to singlehood because if before this, one would work or study while being complacent, but now, one would be more motivated and dedicated for the sake of supporting the family,” she was quoted saying.
Most young men in the straw poll, however, cited early marriage as a way to avoid illicit sex and vices.
“In my opinion, marriage at a young age is appropriate because we will be able to avoid ‘zina’. Not only that, it will prevent baby dumping that seems to be increasing these days. So let’s save money to marry young,” customer service assistant Norameerul Roshaidi Nordin, 23, was quoted saying.
University student Muhammad Afiq Naim Halil, 22, claimed that early marriage could reduce rape as well as prevent vices and births outside marriage.
“But is the couple ready to set up a household? These days are not like olden times. If you want to support someone’s virgin, if you don’t have enough knowledge, don’t even think about it,” he added.
A 28-year-old technician named Muhammad Aminor Fasehan Saolan similarly said getting married young was encouraged as it would enable one to safeguard their “purity”, control their lust and avoid vices.
“When you get married young, it’s said that you’re safe from the blight of monkey love. You will have better achievements and you’ll be able to make earlier family planning, in short, you will be more responsible,” he was quoted saying.
Only one man in the poll — a 34-year-old businessman — brought up financial stability on the question of early marriage.
“The good is that besides training yourself to be more responsible, you’ll be more mature and it’s ‘halal’ love. However, don’t be too eager and get married when you’re not ready in terms of finances and ability to self-manage,” Muhammad Shafie Dahlan was quoted saying.
According to the United Nation’s World Marriage Data 2015 citing census data, Malaysian men’s mean age at marriage rose from 27.9 years to 28.6 years from 1991 to 2000, but it fell to 28 years in 2010.
Malaysian women, however, have been getting married later from the average age of 24.6 years in 1991 to 25.1 years in 2000, and to 25.7 years in 2010.
Original article from https://www.malaymail.com/s/1352621/marrying-young-poll-shows-women-consider-financial-stability-men-think-sex