Prevalence of Pre-marital Relationships in the European and the Middle East Civilizations - Essay Example

Prevalence of Pre-marital Relationships in the European and the Middle East Civilizations Introduction Understanding the Pre-marital Problem in Both Cultures Pre-marital relationship has existed throughout the European and Middle Eastern history. Pre-marital relationship is defined as a romantic affair in which all types of emotional and physical attachments exist and it has both consent-based and force-based reflections (Wright, 1992). Within this context, Wright (1992) also argues that the involved persons do not look at past nor care about the future consequences of such acts. As a result, from the historical perspective, such relationships have been observed differently in different cultures of the world. For example, in certain tribal societies, which have been a part and parcel of the Middle East cultural history, such relationships are socially, traditionally and religiously discouraged and disallowed as well (Mandal, 1984. p. 130). The reason behind this discouragement has mainly caused by the cultural practices and norms which have been inbuilt part of the Middle Eastern culture; consequently, that have solidified the existence of certain social norms as well. On the other hand, the Western authors, who represent the Western culture, observe and consider this kind of relationship from the prism of their cultural background and from the perspective of norms that have been common in the European culture; in this regard, Knox and Schacht (2010. p.198) point out that the premarital relationship remains highly predictive of subsequent marital failure or success. In other words, they are considering the pre-marital relationship as a way for deciding the fate of future of a relationship particularly within the context of the marriage. However, historically it has been seen that many pre-marital relationship do not involve emotions but coercion and threat for completing the requirements of a pre-marital relationship. Objectives What are the main causes behind the prevalence of pre-marital relationships in Europe and the Middle East in the pre-modern period? What were the effects of such relationship on the society at large? How these issues should be resolved in both civilizations? Middle East: Pre-marital Relationship The pre-marital relationship has existed in the social and cultural history of the Middle East. For example, Floor (2008) examines and evaluates the 2500 year social history of sexual relationships in Iran where the act of Mutta has been commonly practiced throughout the history of Iran and in other Shia communities living in the other parts of the Middle East. Mutta has been defined as a temporary marriage contract in which both male and female agree to enter into the agreement and in the physical relationship for a specified period of time (Afsheen, 2011). In this regard, it can be argued that the force of religion was used for obtaining the physical pleasure for a certain period of time. In other words, the Shia sect, within the domain of Islam, did not use their religion for introducing moral and ethical practices in their personal and social life instead they were more inclined to satisfy their physical requirements through using the act of Mutta. In other words, this practice legalized the immorality and unethical disorder in the Middle Eastern society. In contrast, the act of adultery or physical relationship is strongly discouraged and disallowed in the religion of Islam. However, the Shia sect did not follow this divine rule mentioned in their Holy Quran but they used their sectarian culture and understanding for legalizing the immorality in the Middle Eastern society. Misuse of religious practice was main reason behind the act of Mutta. The Sunni sect does not believe nor practice the act of Mutta instead they term it immoral and against the basic teachings of the religion of Islam. Similarly, other sects within the domain of Islam also discourage such immoral practices in their communities. However, the Shia religious scholars found their own way to see and promote such practices only for benefitting their way of thinking and lifestyle as well; they used the practice of Mutta to separate them with the other sects within the umbrella of Islam. Europe: Pre-marital Relationship Rape was a common weapon for developing and retaining pre-marital relationship during the period of 1600 to 1700 CE. The sexual aggression against young women particularly during any wedding event became a social practice commonly found in the German communities (Toulalan and Fisher, 2013). Even the European history is so littered with such acts of rape that till the end of sixteenth and seventh century, there were no Dutch laws pertaining to the rape offence (Toulalan and Fisher, 2013). And pre-mature pregnancies were mainly contributed by a chance of meeting in inappropriate locations (Toulalan and Fisher, 2013). Both these situations clearly indicate that the immorality and social disorder was rampant throughout Europe. In Germany, as mentioned above, the sexual aggression was mainly used as a method of developing and retaining pre-marital relationship because the young males did not find it difficult to harass the young females and that social behavior was mainly caused by the absence of ethical and moral order in the European culture. Moreover, this example also validates that the consent-based pre-marital relationship was rare because the immoral norms and behaviors were so strong that the young females did not consider it as reasonable and appropriate. Since they were fully aware of the aggressive sexual tendency of the young male, the young females avoided the use of love or emotion-based relationship. As a result, when the young males did not find consent-based behavior or relationship from the young females, they used coercion and sexual violence in the shape of rape as a way to satisfy their physical desire. Also, the prevalence of rape was common because during that time the law relating to the act of rape was unfound particularly in Holland till the end of 1635 as mentioned above by Toulalan and Fisher. Consequently, the absence of such laws only benefited to the sexual offenders which in turn created a societal tendency toward the act of rape. Solutions For stopping and changing such behaviors, a Behavioral Guide is essential to provide remedy for such social crimes in society. For this purpose, young men and women are the main subjects to receive and act upon the recommendations. For example, as both cultures have different causes, it is responsible to address and recommend measures separately. For the Middle Eastern culture, it looks reasonable that the religious authorities must avoid supporting and promoting such acts instead they should promote marital relationship because the marital relationship is normal cultural practice that is almost commonly found and practiced in the various cultures of the world. In this regard, it is important to highlight that the proposed recommendations do not directly address to the problem but they try to address the root cause of the problem. On the other hand, education of responsible relationship should be promoted in the European society. In which, they would be informed about the subsequent ramifications of such acts and behaviors; they would be told that such acts not only disturb the affected person but also harms the social fabric of the society in which only lawless society and customs would make life of everyone more difficult and challenging as well. By spreading such basic information in the European society, a small step toward responsible relationship would start the process of social change in which first aggressive attitudes would be discouraged which would subsequently influence on the thoughts and actions of the young males. In this way, the objective of behavioral change would be achieved. Moreover, this approach would also enable many young males to understand the significance of social relationships which are highly essential for maintaining a reasonable and responsible personal relationship with the young females. On the other hand, many young males may disagree with this approach and continue following the trend. It is impossible to get faster and sustainable social and behavioral change within a minimum time and sometimes, it is also possible that some may disagree with the change because they consider the change as an impediment for satisfying their ruthless sexual desires. Consequently, instead of supporting such change, they revolt against such positive behaviors. Interaction with other political and economic systems The role of other systems would be highly relevant and significant as well. In the Middle East case, the role of religious institutions provides the central support for controlling and restricting the practice of Mutta. On the other hand, the role of legal system would be very effective in Europe. In the European culture, the law is almost unfound so in order to discourage such acts and promote responsible relationship, the formal establishment of legal institutions is highly required. This act would deter and discourage the young males for committing rape. Subsequently, the role of awareness through education system would also be essential. For example, young males can be gathered and the relevant information and awareness would be given to them. Based on the points in the Behavioral Guide, it can be summarized that both cultures have different causes behind the pre-marital relationship. As a result, different solutions have been proposed to address and reduce the aggressive sexual tendency in the young males. References Afsheen, S. (2011). Under Five Flags: Life like a Turbulent River Flows. United States of America: Xlibris Corporation. Floor, W.M. (2008). A Social History of Sexual Relations in Iran. Washington, DC: Mega Publishers. Knox, D., Sachacht, C. (2010). Choices in Relationships: An Introduction to Marriage and the Family. 10th edn. California, CA: Wadsworth Mandal, S.B.B. (1984). Industrialization and Social Disorganization: A Study of Tribals in Bihar. New Delhi: Concept Publishing. Toulalan, S., & Fisher, K. (Eds.) (2013). The Routledge History of Sex and the Body: 1500 to the Present. New York, NY: Routledge Wright, H.N. (1992). The premarital Counseling Handbook. Chicago: Moody Publishing Read More