Perceptions and Experiences of Marriage Preparation Among U.S. Muslims: Multiple Voices from the Community

Abstract

Although Muslims in the United States are a growing population, there is limited research on their relational patterns and how they prepare for marriage. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 members of the Muslim community in Southeast Michigan including married individuals, divorced individuals, therapists, and imams (Muslim religious leaders) to explore their perceptions and experiences of marriage preparation. Our analysis revealed that marriage preparation varies but is less likely to involve a requirement of premarital counseling, with imams being the primary providers, not therapists. Barriers to participation include stigma, lack of awareness, logistical and financial challenges, and parental influence.

Love, relationships and couple happiness: A cross-cultural comparison among Spanish couples and Moroccan couples in Southern Spain

“…This is not true for Moroccan men and women, in whom the maintenance of other institutions and social relations, such as family or religious practice, displaces the importance placed on couple relationships. The decreased amount of time and importance that Muslim women place on love and couplehood coincides with other studies that assert that couple relationships for Muslim women are based more on a socio-economic materiality than on intangible sentimentality (Killawi et al, 2018). Morini (2016) explains that for Moroccan women who immigrated to Italy, love does not occupy the central space in their lives that is socially attributed to them; instead, they establish strong affective bonds and ties with other women, far from the stereotype of the submissive woman on her knees.…”

“…According to the data obtained, the family continues to be the primary space for affective learning for all the groups, and is recognised as the primary space for acquiring and forming affective and relational patterns (Morris, Silk, Steinberg, Myers, & Robinson, 2007). Familism is a characteristic of collectivist societies such as Morocco (Dammacco, 2005), where, despite migration, families maintain a very active role in the courtship process and marriage in the first and second Muslim generations (Killawi et al, 2018). Familism is also characteristic of Spain, which has been identified as the most family-centred country in the European Union.…”

Factors Impacting Why Women Stay in Marital Life with Substance dependent Husbands: A Grounded Theory Study

“…An individualistic culture is a culture in which people view themselves as unique and separate entities, a culture that focuses on oneself. The collectivist culture is a culture in which people tend to think about themselves concerning others, a culture that focuses on others (22). The findings of Fernandez et al (23) showed that individuals in these communities stress the loyalty to the ascribed groups and responsibilities towards families.…”

The Development of a Culturally-Appropriate Marriage Enrichment Programme for Black African Married Couples: Overview of Programmes

“…Although empirical studies indicate ME programmes to be successful at teaching couples the skills needed to create and sustain healthy relationships (Schmidt et al, 2016;Jacobi, 2017;Quirk et al, 2014;Worthington, Berry, Hook, Davis, Scherer, Griffin, Wade, Yarhouse, Ripley, Miller, Sharp, Canter & Campana, 2015;Markman & Rhoades, 2012), there are limitations. The literature often reports empirical studies regarding marriages and ME relationship interventions to be predominately conducted in Western countries with a specific focus on White populations (O'Halloran, Rizzolo, Cohen & Wacker, 2013;Killawi, Fathi, Dadras, Daneshpour, Elmi & Altalib, 2018;Su, Miller, Canlas, Hsiao & Willoughby, 2015;Muro, Holliman & Luquet, 2016b). Hence there is limited data on their effectiveness in other populations such as in SA.…”

“…'Marriage preparation' entails couples being educated and equipped before getting married to prevent and deal with potential challenges experienced in the relationship (Olson, Olson & Larson. 2012;Killawi et al, 2018;Haselau, Kasiram & Simpson, 2015;Duncan, Rogers & McAllister, 2017). 'Marriage guidance' entails help provided in this instance to couples in order to encourage self-awareness, independence, making choices and adequate response to life challenges (Ansah-Hughes & Practice, 2015).…”