According to the Leke Dukagjini’s Code, which functioned in traditional Albanian society in the XV century, marriage was considered as vital obligation and therefore was arranged by male family members, where women had no right to refuse. Otherwise, if she rejects the decision of elders of the family, she become ...
(Show more)According to the Leke Dukagjini’s Code, which functioned in traditional Albanian society in the XV century, marriage was considered as vital obligation and therefore was arranged by male family members, where women had no right to refuse. Otherwise, if she rejects the decision of elders of the family, she become a "virgin plotter" had no right to get married ever. At this time the main character of marriage, was the economic one, where the interests of male and female families were to find as families as they can.
In the second half of the twentieth century, when theoretically Albanian society has entered in the process of demographic transition after World War II, when the female start to be involved in the educational levels and economic processes, when she gained economic and individual security, began the first changes in the selection of future partner. These facts has opened it the greatest chance of direct meeting of young people and lighten the role of parents in decision-making, whose from now give just an approval.
Today, in the XXI century when the Albanian society is undergoing into a transition demographic phase faster than before, when female, family and society are going into emancipation quickly, the shape a character of marriage is changing. Now, the parents it is not that just do not have a decisive role in choosing the fate of the young people, but they agree even with cohabitation, as new forms of coexistence.
These changes except in social terms, has brought changes in demographic terms. Married couples are entering into marriage later and later realize the first births. Furthermore emotive function of the family has changed completely the marital life and the meaning of marriage in society. While in the past has started to work after marriage, now it is before it and is one of the main function for the realization of marriage.
Key words: woman, marriage, Albanian society
(Show less)