Kazakh Families Embrace Marriage Traditions as Lavish Weddings Decline, Survey Shows
Recent social survey results in Kazakhstan show a shift in attitudes towards marriage-related traditions, as reported by the Ranking.kz monitoring website. The survey, conducted by the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development (KIPD), focused on traditional values related to marriage and family life.
The findings, based on 31 in-depth interviews with individuals aged 18 and older living with relatives from different generations, revealed that while Kazakh families still value traditional customs, support for costly weddings and outdated practices like bride kidnapping has decreased significantly.
According to the report, over half of the respondents believe that adhering to national customs and traditions is crucial for family prosperity. However, the study also highlighted that mutual love and respect between spouses, as well as understanding between children and parents, are seen as key factors in strengthening family bonds.
Traditional practices such as kalyn mal (bride price), dowry, and the elders’ right to name the oldest child received high levels of support among the population. Despite this, attitudes towards lavish weddings on credit varied, with only 35.7% of respondents supporting extravagant celebrations that leave families burdened with debt.
One of the most notable findings was the decline in support for bride kidnapping, with a majority of respondents expressing disapproval of this outdated practice. The survey also touched on the custom of parents living with their son’s new family, which remains highly valued in most regions, especially in the southern parts of the country.
Overall, the survey results point towards a changing landscape in Kazakh family traditions, with a greater emphasis on mutual respect, understanding, and financial independence among family members. As attitudes evolve, it is crucial to uphold traditions that strengthen family bonds while also adapting to modern realities and societal changes.
