January 2009 - Volume 3, Issue 1

Attitude of University Students Toward Family of Temporary Marriage in the City of Tehran

	Professor Ali Reza Kaldi, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences Masoumeh Hardar, M.A
	Prof. Ali Reza Kaldi, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Evin, Tehran 19834, Iran E-mail: arkaldi@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT Objective: This research was conducted to evaluate the attitude of students toward families resulting from temporary marriage. Method: The method of this research was survey, and the instrument of data collection was a questionnaire. 213 students were selected randomly. The data analysis was done by statistical tests including T Test, and F Test. Results: The results revealed that there are advantages and disadvantages of temporary marriage, i.e., there are relationships between temporary marriage and reduction of sexual crimes, satisfaction of sexual needs, financial and emotional support of widows, increase of marital understanding, intimidation of social norms, increase of family instability, chance reduction of permanent marriage for girls after temporary marriage, reduction of men's responsibility and commitment, psychological, social and judicial costs of women, and increase in the number of unattached children. Conclusion: The findings of the research indicate that there are both functions and malfunctions of temporary marriage. Women and respondents in the age group 20 to 24 believe that the malfunctions of temporary marriage are much more than positive functions. They also believe that temporary marriage helps to increase family instability. Key Words: Attitude, Students, Family, Temporary Marriage.

INTRODUCTION

Marriage is the first step in having a family and building up society. The extent of contemplating marriage influences the extent of progress or failure of the society. Family as an institution has many functions and outcomes, including sexual satisfaction, reproduction, human evolution, peace, tranquility and honesty.

Unknown in the West, temporary marriage is a contractual transaction between a man and a woman to be married for a fixed or negotiated period of time, usually between one hour and 99 years.

Mutah is a word which means enjoyment and its secondary meaning is marriage contract for a definite period (Valojerdi, 1992: 6). Temporary marriage is a special marriage contract, which sets the relationship between husband and wife for a specific period of time (Mousavi Zanjanroudi, 1992). Temporary marriage intends to create the discipline in relations between two sexes and prevents corruption (Saroukhani, 2002). The wife in temporary marriage can avoid fulfilling her duties as long as the husband does not fulfill his commitments vis-à-vis paying the wife her marriage portion. (Hadi, 1995: 70).

If the youth are persuaded to engage in temporary marriage, they will become reluctant to engage in permanent marriage. Hence, they will not be willing to have their own family and feel responsible towards their family. This is something which does not benefit the society and future generations. On the other hand, it has been observed several times that the negative outcome and misinterpretation of men from the notion of temporary marriage has created problems for the women. Furthermore, since children of the temporary marriage are away from the family, the grounds will be paved for juvenile delinquency.
The occurrence of social problems can create unfavorable conditions which results in injustice, dissatisfaction and public disorder (Saroukhani, 1996: 372).

The theory of social order considers macro social subjects and issues of consideration. However, the social critical theory deals with micro social issues. Hence, issues such as poverty, social rift and inequality are taken into consideration as are macro social issues. This is while prostitution, addiction, divorce, juvenile delinquency, offences and crime, as well as similar issues are diversions from social norms from an individualistic perspective (Ashraf: 1976: 15).

Temporary marriage is a kind of marriage that has been devised by God for desperate people with precise and thoughtful planning for achieving specific objectives. But, lack of a specific legal framework and lack of commitment by the parties to the temporary marriage contract have created problems that can negatively influence the individuals and families.

Among the objectives of this research are knowledge of the temporary marriage at theoretical level and also knowing its conditions, functions and malfunctions by considering the viewpoints of university students.

The research on temporary marriage done so far has been mostly theoretical and very little field research has taken place on temporary marriage. In research on family development in Iran over the past 30 years, it has been mentioned that the most important change in the family has been giving more attention to children, especially in more educated families and middle class families living in the cities (Safiri, 1987). In research on the perception of female university students about marriage, it has been mentioned that friendship and pre-marriage relations depend on a traditional way of thinking (Azadheraf, 1976). Also in research it has been mentioned that the female university students not only do not expect support from man, they do not also consider man a powerful and dominant character (Aqajani, 1997: 62).

The findings of research into marriage developments in Iran during the 1956-1996 period shows that in the course of time as the level of education of women increases it considerably influences the marriage age (Beladi Mousavi, 1999: 81). The findings of research on the extent of marriage satisfaction with regard to traditional and non-traditional marriages among the university students, shows that there is no significant difference in satisfaction in traditional and non-traditional marriages (Irani, 2004: 71). In research into Mutah in Islamic law and jurisprudence, it becomes evident that in order to prevent misuse by some individuals and for its proper implementation, temporary marriage, like permanent marriage, should be specifically regular and the marriage contract should be registered in public notary offices (Farhang Khouei, 2003). In research into social harms of temporary marriage in Iran, it is mentioned that after temporary marriage due to abuses by some people, the family and its members have been considerably harmed (Azarkaman, 2007). In research titled 'Investigation of Attitudes of Experts About Temporary Marriage and Social, Demographical and Cultural Parameters Influencing Temporary Marriage', a kind of public hatred by women about this kind of marriage persists and mostly men welcome this kind of marriage. It also indicates that it is not socially acceptable (Sepehri, 2007).

Theoretical Framework

Values influence the behavior of individuals. They can be used for evaluating behavior of others. There is usually a direct relationship between values, norms and judgments or the manner in which the society reacts. For example, a society which values marriage too much has such norms that denounce adultery. Research into temporary marriage should take place in society and in relation to other social factors, which are influenced by the society's culture. Comte believes: "It is not possible to understand a specific social phenomenon anywhere other than the more general society to which that phenomenon belongs" (Tavassoli, 2005: 59).

The list of things that we should do everyday always seem to be endless. Those human behaviors which are directly or indirectly related to others are based on norms (Rafipour. 1999: 79). Hence, norms have powerful and unimaginable force that as the French sociologist Emile Durkheim puts it: "Norms are imposed on an individual and his/her will. If humans could resist any force, their resistance against norms is much less." (Guy Rocher, 1997: 25)

Merton has proposed the concepts of covert and overt functions. He has proposed that structural functionalists should not only deal with overt functions, but also with covert functions. Parsons as a structural functionalist was interested in methods of transfer of norms and values of a system to reactors within a system. In a successful socialization process, the norms and values are internalized or they become part of reactors or their ego. (Ritzer, 1995: 127-137)

Social ills or problems are created when individuals or a section of society face problems. In other words, those, particularly married men who want to engage in temporary marriage, might be facing problems and this kind of marriage helps them to go after that kind of marriage that family is not important in it, but their needs are met. Therefore, whenever the curve of temporary marriage takes an ascending order, it shows that both family structure and social structure have been harmed and both structures should be studied.

Since temporary marriage does not have a proper place in our common law and people look at those who take part in a strange way, those who have engaged in temporary marriage try to hide their marriage from public. This is because these people are branded as capricious and bon-vivant. The first hallmark will pave the way for committing offences by the person who is involved in temporary marriage. For example, a man or woman who engages in temporary marriage might easily commit adultery when he/she is branded as capricious. Or the children of such marriage will be brought up with social complexes because they are branded with the worst hallmarks and hence they do not consider themselves as part of the society anymore. These children will do their best to take revenge on society.

The majority of women who engage in temporary marriage are somehow under pressure. These pressures might be from the family, friends or the society. Since the majority of women who engage in temporary marriage are divorcees the way the public look at them and the economic problems after they are divorced forces them to engage in such marriage.

One of the most important negative consequences of temporary marriage is that it becomes commonplace in society. When someone does something in society that has not been before, other individuals will also try to do the same when they realize that doing it is not so bad. Not only is temporary marriage not banned at present, but people are persuaded to engage in this kind of marriage. Hence, temporary marriage has become more acceptable and very few men consider it as an immoral act.

It can be said that frigidity of women in most cases paves the way for betrayal of men and their temporary marriage with another woman. Furthermore, when the man goes for the second wife, it makes the first wife to do wrong and immoral things in order to exact revenge on her husband.

The theoretical framework of this research is based on structural functionalism. The usage of temporary marriage can be termed as satisfying the sexual needs of individuals. The result of this research shows that those people, who cannot engage in permanent marriage or they are far away from their wives and they become embarrassed due to their sexual requirements, should be entitled to temporary marriage law.

One of the most important applications of temporary marriage is satisfying the sexual needs in a legitimate and regulated manner. When the temporary marriage takes place without any urgent need, its negative consequences will be more than its predicted objectives.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The present research is a survey and the technique used in collecting data is through questionnaire. A questionnaire containing 45 questions and each question with five choices according to Likert scaling from totally agree to totally disagree has been designed. The Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the research is 0.71, which is quite satisfactory. The community under study in this research is all university students studying in second semester of 2008 at Open University, science and research branch, in the city of Tehran at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels. For determining the sample test, a classified sample was taken from the community, and 213 people were chosen as samples of the survey. The main hypothesis of this survey is that the negative outcomes of temporary marriage are more than its positive outcomes. For testing the hypotheses of the research, statistical tests such as T and F tests were used.

RESULTS

In order to test the hypotheses of the research, one sample T test was used. Table 1 shows the comments by respondents to functions and malfunctions of temporary marriage.

1-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in reduction of sexual offenses. For testing this hypothesis, the T-test has been used which shows the figure 2.06 and with a reliability of 0.95 the hypothesis has been verified.

2-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would satisfy the sexual needs in a legitimate way. T-test has been used for testing the hypothesis, which showed -4.45 and with a reliability of 0.95 the hypothesis has been verified.

3-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in emotional and financial support for divorcees and women with no guardian. T-test was used for testing this hypothesis showing the figure -3.05. The hypothesis was verified with reliability of 0.95.

4-It seems that temporary marriage would increase matrimonial understanding in bachelors before permanent marriage. The T-test for testing this hypothesis showed figure 6.57 verifying the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

5-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in identifying matrimonial methods and marriage style in bachelors before permanent marriage. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed figure 2.81 verifying the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

6-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in increasing mental health of bachelors before permanent marriage. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed 4.75, which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

7-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would threaten the social norms. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed -3.32 which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

8-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in a shaky family. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed -14.74, which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

9-Encouraging temporary marriage would result in reduction of chance of permanent marriage for girls. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed figure -17.24 which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.
10-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in less commitment and liability of men. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed -11.64, which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

11-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would encourage the desire for change in men. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed figure -13.15 which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

12-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in rise in psychological, social and legal damages to women. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed -16.27 which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

13-It seems that encouraging temporary marriage would result in an increase in the number of children with no guardian in the society. The T-test used for testing the hypothesis showed -12.66, which verified the hypothesis with a reliability of 0.95.

Table 2 shows the ideas of respondents to malfunctions and disadvantages of temporary marriage.

By taking the above table into account and by emphasizing on the amount of T, it can be said that there is a significant difference (at a=0.01) between experimental average and theoretical average in comparison to disadvantages of temporary marriage. Hence, by referring to average figures and by emphasizing that experimental average is higher than theoretical average, from the perspective of the research samples the temporary marriage malfunctions and disadvantages are lower than the average.

Table 3 compares advantages and disadvantages of temporary marriage in proportion to gender of the respondents.

By taking the amount of T as it can be seen in Table Three, it can be said that there is a significant difference at a=0.01 between average viewpoints of female and male respondents about the advantages and disadvantages of temporary marriage. Therefore, since the average number of women is higher than men in advantages, it is said that women believe more than men in unfavorable advantages of temporary marriage. Furthermore, in comparison of viewpoints of women and men towards disadvantages of temporary marriage and since the average number of men is higher than women when it comes to disadvantages, it is said that men believe more than women that disadvantages of temporary marriage are high.

Table 4 shows one-way analysis of variance in comparison of advantages and disadvantages of temporary marriage in proportion with gender.

Given the amounts of F, it can be said that there is a significant difference between averages of viewpoints of the research samples with emphasis on different age groups in proportion to advantages (at a=0.05) and disadvantages (at a=0.01) of temporary marriage. Therefore, since the average of sample was in the 30-34 age group, in terms of advantages is higher than other age groups, this age group believes that the advantages of temporary marriage are unfavorable. Moreover, in comparison of viewpoints of research samples towards the disadvantages of temporary marriage and since the average of the 20-24 age groups is higher than other sample groups, it can be deducted that the 20-24 age group believe that the disadvantages of temporary marriage are high.

The study of attitude of university students who are regarded as the most talented social group in terms of understanding the social changes indicates that change in social attitudes is not as easy as it is always believed to be. Values such as persistent affection and supporting the children are among superior values that have always accompanied permanent marriage. Since family values are considered as superior within society, they have to undergo the biggest social pressures and hence have the highest resistance against the currents and innovations related to family values.

CONCLUSION

Hence, in drawing a general conclusion it should be said that temporary marriage does not have the necessary acceptability nowadays. Unfortunately no single official institution is in charge of temporary marriage in Iran and this kind of marriage does not resolve the problems of the youth. When it comes to preparing the ground for permanent marriage of young people through temporary marriage it can be said that the university students believe that normal relationshis between girls and boys, as well as their limited acquaintance prior to their marriage and under supervision of their families, no need is felt for temporary marriage any longer. Married men can engage in temporary marriage only if his wife is ill or has sexual problems or man is on long journeys and does not have access to his wife. In other cases it would have many negative outcomes in society. Therefore, the university students are of the opinion that encouraging temporary marriage will have more disadvantages than advantages.

RECOMMENDATIONS

- Strengthening family and religious values among people for consolidating family foundations

- Facilitating the conditions of permanent marriage for young people

- Informing women of the temporary marriage, their rights and the possible outcome of such marriage in case of emergency

- There are no records of the number of temporary marriages in the results of census by Iran's Statistical Center. Furthermore, no concerned governmental institution or any information on temporary marriage can be found. Hence, it is necessary that in the future census such records to be collected because it would prove to be very useful in knowing about temporary marriage, and providing useful solutions.

- It is recommended that in future planning, the following parameters be closely and precisely studied before temporary marriage is considered a general solution to the problems of young people: the degree of satisfaction of women who have previously had the experience of temporary marriage, the kind of relationships and inter-family relations in temporary marriage, future of children of temporary marriage, psychological and social status of women in temporary marriage and the frequency of temporary marriages that are converted into permanent marriages. Of course the research of experts, health providers, lawyers, psychologists, sociologists and jurisprudents should be used for assessing the above parameters.

- It is better that by providing obstacles and restrictions in the way of temporary marriage such as registry in public notary office, considering inheritance for this kind of marriage, a fixed amount of money for woman, bringing the name of children in the ID of both man and woman, the right to revoke the temporary marriage for women, holding a wedding party, inviting the people to the wedding party, allowing only the divorced men and women to engage in this kind of marriage or women or men who are bachelors and who are too old for permanent marriage, preventing married men from engaging in this kind of marriage. In this case the married can be prevented from abusing temporary marriage. Moreover, if the above is materialized, only those who really need temporary marriage will benefit.

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