Single Women Pose Major Problem for Saudi Society

Internet marriages, Matchmakers set new trend

Riyadh - January 15, 2002 A serious issue is haunting many Saudi families --female celibacy has reportedly reached 1.5 million women in Saudi Arabia, a conservative country. According to reports, women represent 49.9 percent of the population and the problem has received media attention. If they dont find suitable solutions, Saudi society would face a noisy phenomenon. The conservative and religous Saudi society was shocked in July last year when the findings of a study indicated that the number of celibate females will climb to four millions in the coming five years if no corrective action is taken to reverse the trend. The study, by sociology professor at King Saud University Dr. Abdullah Al-Fouzan pointed out that there are 18,000 divorce cases in Saudi Arabia compared to 60,000 new marriages in the year 2001.

According to Riyadh Daily, the study recommended presenting better conditions to help Saudi men and women marry at an early age to avoid unnecessary delay in the wedding age. The study also recommended more awareness generation among the young Saudi generations against delaying the wedding age for both males and females. The Shoura Council has joined hands with others in seeking solutions to the problem. The council has asked some 50 Saudi female intellectuals and educationists representing the wide range of spectrum to give their opinions on ways of tackling this thorny issue. "They advised Saudi families and women, in particular, to accept a modest dowry as a way out of this social menace. Some communities in different parts of the Kingdom are resorting to group marriages, occasionally sponsored by charities, to cut costs and encourage wedding," reported Riyadh Daily.

The services of match-makers and the Internet are also used to solve the matter. However, these alternatives are not presenting radical solutions. A number of Saudi women expressed belief that tackling female celibacy requires cooperation from the authorities, families and the media. Economy professor at King Abdulaziz University Dr. Ibtisam Abdulrahman Halwani said that the issue first came up due to Saudi women’s desire to pursue high levels of education and high hopes in future spouses, with rich men being the big choice. She pointed out that many Saudi men are preferring to remain bachelor because of the high cost of wedding and family life. According to Dr. Halwani many Saudi men are looking for foreign spouses as ‘’easy alternatives’’ due to the financial burdens of marrying local women.

However, such marriages are fraught with social and economic risks because foreign wives travel to their home countries more than one time a year in addition to hosting their relatives during visits to the Kingdom. According to Dr. Halwani marriages through matchmakers are also failures because the ultimate goal is reaping high rewards ‘’without consideration to other essential issues such as religious and moral commitment’’ and social harmony between the two parties. Marriages through the Internetalso ended in failure because the foundation was not well. The high rates of divorce in the Saudi society represent a bigger menace than the issue of celibacy because divorce harms both wives and children.

Dr. Halwani said Saudi families can be very helpful in introducing their young men and women to each other, without violating the Islamic tenets, as a way of encouraging inter-Saudi marriages. Author Lubna Al-Tahlawi suggested that Saudi women reach agreement with their future husbands if they intend to pursue their post-graduate education rather than delaying marriage and risking celibacy. Outdated tribal habits could also be blamed for rising female celibacy as tribes prefer inter-marriages and do not favor marriages with other tribes. --keralamonitor.com