Marriage Practices
In Somalia, dating customs as they are understood in the English-speaking West, are essentially nonexistent. Many young Somali men and women may communicate more frequently online or through mobile devices today. However, unless the two people are married, it is deemed undesirable to socialize with a member of the other gender alone. Men and women who are not married should only speak to each other in public or during community events. It is thought that if they become close, they will declare their engagement.
In Somali culture, marriage is both a social and religious requirement. It symbolizes the joining of a couple and their family. A woman who marries a member of another clan becomes a member of that clan (although she maintains connection and legal ties with her original clan). Marriages between clans were fairly prevalent before the American Civil War. Intermarriage was sometimes utilized to create new clan relationships. Nowadays, Somalis frequently favor getting married inside their subclans. However, Somalis who reside abroad typically don't consider this matter as seriously.
Marriages are customarily arranged, although each partner is typically given the freedom to accept or reject the match that has been made by their families. Parents are increasingly more likely to think about their child's love interest if the fit is right. A woman who marries a member of another clan becomes a member of that clan (although she maintains connection and legal ties with her original clan). Marriages between clans were fairly prevalent before the American Civil War. Intermarriage was sometimes utilized to create new clan relationships. Nowadays, Somalis frequently favor getting married inside their subclans. However, Somalis who reside abroad typically don't consider this matter as seriously.
Marriages are customarily arranged, although each partner is typically given the freedom to accept or reject the match that has been made by their families. Parents are increasingly more likely to think about their child's love interest if the fit is right. Women from rural areas and lower socioeconomic levels typically get married young, starting at age 15 and rarely waiting until they are 21. Those who are educated and urbanized might wait until they graduate from college, but they should plan to get married by the age of 25 at the latest. By the time they turn 18 years old, 45% of women are married (35% in urban areas and 52% in rural areas), according to UNICEF. 7 Boys often marry later in life, at around 30. Men are supposed to support their wives financially, which is why there is an age difference between them. Therefore, a man must be completely self-sufficient and financially comfortable before getting engaged.
