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THE number of marriages taking place in Qatar has fallen, according to new statistics, because more parents are allowing their children to make career and love choices.
Experts speaking at the Doha Family colloquium said a relaxation of traditional values had led to the change.
Qatar University Professor Kaltham al-Ghanim told the forum: “There is a loosening of traditional ties in families because in the past it was taboo for children to contradict their parents.”
Al-Ghanim added that this had led to fewer teenagers being compelled into marriages – instead being allowed to choose partners of their choice with the parents’ guidance and supervision.
According to figures recently released there were 1,773 marriages in Qatar in 2003. The following year there were 1,730. As well as fewer weddings taking place there were also fewer divorces. In 2003 there were 581 compared with 564 in 2004.
In contrast, other Gulf countries had seen a steady rise in divorces.
Bahrain University Professor Yahya el-Haddad revealed: “The UAE had 3,243 divorce cases out of 12,277 marriages in 2003 and 3,577 in 12,794 marriages in 2004, while Kuwait recorded 3,041 and 3,654 divorce cases out of 9,355 and 9291 marriages in 2003 and 2004 respectively.”
The colloquium was organised by the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development in order to look at the challenges facing Arab families in modern times.
Experts speaking at the Doha Family colloquium said a relaxation of traditional values had led to the change.
Qatar University Professor Kaltham al-Ghanim told the forum: “There is a loosening of traditional ties in families because in the past it was taboo for children to contradict their parents.”
Al-Ghanim added that this had led to fewer teenagers being compelled into marriages – instead being allowed to choose partners of their choice with the parents’ guidance and supervision.
According to figures recently released there were 1,773 marriages in Qatar in 2003. The following year there were 1,730. As well as fewer weddings taking place there were also fewer divorces. In 2003 there were 581 compared with 564 in 2004.
In contrast, other Gulf countries had seen a steady rise in divorces.
Bahrain University Professor Yahya el-Haddad revealed: “The UAE had 3,243 divorce cases out of 12,277 marriages in 2003 and 3,577 in 12,794 marriages in 2004, while Kuwait recorded 3,041 and 3,654 divorce cases out of 9,355 and 9291 marriages in 2003 and 2004 respectively.”
The colloquium was organised by the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development in order to look at the challenges facing Arab families in modern times.
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