The dream of marriage and starting a family has become a source of anxiety for many young people due to the ever-increasing costs. This important social step has transformed from an occasion for joy and tranquility into a heavy financial burden that can last for years. When a young man considers marriage today, he faces a long list of requirements that translate into thousands of riyals, starting with the dowry and furnishing the home, continuing with the cost of wedding halls and banquets, and culminating in the details of the wedding night and honeymoon. These are now considered essential aspects of marriage, rather than simply optional expressions of joy.
A field investigation reveals the depth of the crisis
To shed light on this phenomenon, a team from Al-Youm newspaper, comprised of editors Huthaifa Al-Qurashi, Mohammed Al-Sulaiman, Mohammed Al-Owais, Ahmed Al-Masri, Raed Al-Suwailim, and Abdulaziz Al-Omari, along with photographer Murtada Boukhamsin, engaged in extensive discussions with various stakeholders. This field investigation aimed to uncover the root causes of this price surge and to find practical solutions to the crisis, which has become a significant obstacle to the aspirations of an entire generation.
Social transformations: from simplicity to ostentation
Historically, marriage ceremonies in Arab societies were characterized by simplicity and social solidarity, with a focus on the spiritual values of marriage and family building. Over time, however, these concepts have undergone radical changes, transforming weddings into arenas for social competition and ostentation. Costs are no longer limited to the essentials but have ballooned to include extravagant luxuries imposed by a culture of consumerism and social prestige, sometimes leading to an emphasis on appearances overshadowing the true essence of marriage.
Economic and social repercussions
Exorbitant dowries and wedding expenses not only affect a young man's immediate financial situation but also create long-term economic pressure. Many resort to bank loans and debt to cover the expenses of a single night, leaving them burdened with financial obligations that can disrupt family stability early on. Furthermore, this high cost of living has led to delayed marriage (spinsterhood) for both men and women, negatively impacting the demographic and social structure of society.
Between religious rulings and reality
Despite numerous religious edicts and persistent calls from scholars and social reformers urging the facilitation of marriage and the reduction of dowries, based on prophetic guidance that blesses marriages with minimal expenses, the pressure of customs, traditions, and societal views continues to pose a significant challenge to implementing these calls. The solution requires a concerted societal effort to change prevailing beliefs and promote a culture that recognizes the value of marriage as residing in compatibility and affection, not in extravagance and wastefulness.
