Investigating the lived experiences of delayed married women in the case of Gondar city.

Abstract

Delaying girls’ early marriage is a critical public health and education goal in developing countries, in which their own or their mothers’ education may play an important role. The main purpose of this study paper was investigating the lived experience of delayed married VII | P a g e women who are above the age of thirty in the case of Gondar city. qualitative research methodology was applied for this study to gain a deeper understanding of women’s experience being delayed to get married past the expectant marital age was a phenomenological qualitative approach. In this study, qualitative data obtained through conducting semi structured in-depth interview and focus group discussions from 25 participants. Thus, the finding of the study revealed that the causes of being delayed to get married were identified and presented under headings, not finding the right person for marriage mark as a major reason for delayed women to get married , past unsuccessfully relationships, media influences urbanization and cost of living (weeding),education and career is another minor reason for women to get delayed married working to gain some means of income before getting married or wanting to achieve certain educational goals before entering into marriage make women delay marriage, financial and social status being financially week, supporting other family members financially, taken care of sick and elderly parents make women to loss their privilege to marry or to date on the other hand being financially strong and having self-esteemed. Finally, the researcher recommended that women had coping mechanisms that kept them going through the above mentioned challenges. The study stresses implications for research, practice and policy all derived from the finding of the study.