Marriage In The Eyes of The Beholder

Marriage is the beginning of the family and is a lifelong commitment which is in itself a physical union, spiritual and emotional union. It also provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness and love.

Marriage therapist DeMaria and co-writer Harrar establishes seven stages in the journey of marriage which are Passion which blooms in the early stages then it proceeds to Realization, Rebellion when the two beginning to cope with their indifferences, followed by cooperation, Reunion, Explosion, and Completion intertwined with the emotional feelings of happiness, security, and satisfaction.

Marriage is an established institution which has been among our setting throughout human existence. For most people, marriage forms part of their fulfillment in life as they think marriage sets up a good fortune. In most homes, parents pressurise their children to bring a partner home and proceed with the necessary formalities in tying the knot.

Considering the urban and rural setting, marriage holds a different dimension and perspective in the contact lenses of its respective inhabitants.

It is with this that Ghanaweb engaged with a few women in a rural developing community at Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region. In all, about four women were interviewed, Mamle Kpabitey a 28-year old farmer, Comfort Kwaku also a 35-year old single mother of three, Monica Teye also a mother of three and Abigail Tetteh a 27-year old who is a mother of two.

In similar opinions, the four established that, they are catching up with age without any suitor despite their hardworking qualities and their beauty. “Men do approach us but most of them are not serious, some are even married. There are women here looking for men to marry and so are there women in the cities looking for same. We are very serious and hardworking even while here [in the village] and we are also very beautiful and we have good character”, Comfort Kwaku stated.

Most often, women in the rural setting are perceived to be illiterates without any form of modesty in their living which is why men, especially those in urban centres do not approach them with marriage proposals.

However, Abigail Tetteh explained that “Women here are very modest so they won’t be an economic burden on their husband. Let the men come and marry us and we’ll make very good wives. Our backgrounds should not deter them at all”.