Young People's Construction of Role Expectations About Marriage

Abstract

Adolescence is the period between childhood and maturity that includes development, spiritual maturation and preparation for life. The period of adolescence, which is generally accepted to be between the ages 12 and 24, is first of all a dynamic and changeful process including growing up, preparation and learning activities. In order to understand the feelings, thoughts, behaviour, attitudes, expectations and aims of the young person, it is necessary to consider the factors that form his/her personality. The factor that creates the outlines of personality’ is the relationship between society and nature, and the reflection of them on the individual. Getting married and setting up a home are normal desires for the young who are psychologically and emotionally mature. Expectations of a young person related to the roles of women and men are formed in this period. Forming of the ideas concerning these expectations and these roles depends on the family and the environment in which the individual lives. Discrepancy in expectations related to roles can be determined by examining the role expectations of the young. Mutual agreement of roles can increase satisfaction by providing a sounder basis for harmonious family life. Early defining of expectations related to roles will help to provide a better family life. As the number of common characteristics between the spouses increases, the rate of happiness in the marriage relationship rises. Accomplishing the roles expected in marriage according to the expectations of the spouse results in harmony in marriage. The real role concept and the behaviour based on this role are responsibilities learned in childhood and the period during which the individual is brought up. They are strengthened or changed by the experiences of adults. Adults become behavioral models for children and young people. The manners and roles that the family members exhibit are the main sources of knowledge that children and young people will acquire. The experiences acquired in adolescence will be a foundation for the families that they will form in the future and also a base for the roles that they will take on in society.