Marriage and Marital Conflict Resolution among Orthodox Christians in Some Selected Areas of Addis Ababa
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Date
1998-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In Addis Ababa, there are three forms of marriage practiced by Orthodox Christians:
civil, customary, and church marriages. An attempt is here made to describe these marriage
froms as well as marital conflicts and their resolution. The rules governing each marriage
form as well as the process of establishing it are examined. Similarly, marital conflicts and
the procedures employed in their resolution are described. Literature review, observation, case ,
studies, and interviewing have been used with the view of gathering information on marriage
and marital conflict resolution.
It is shown that the three forms of marriage have their own respective regulations.
Devout Orthodox Christians usually perform church marriages, while non-devout ones enter
into one of the other two forms of marriage. Though they seek the advice of friends and
relatives, people in Addis Ababa are generally free to select their spouses.
Bridal gifts (t'ilosh) are often given by the groom to the bride. This, along with
wedding costs and the shortage of housing result in late age at marriage in Addis Ababa,
thereby negatively affecting the family life cycle. Those who get married at later ages may
pass away before their children become self-sufficient adults.
Marriages often result in conflicts which can eventually lead to divorce. Such conflicts
are resolved according to the provisions of the Civil Code which usually involves tedious
procedures and arbitration money. This appears to have undermined the traditional arbitration
mechanism, resulting in marital arbitration becoming an income-generating profession. Marital
conflict causes different troubles to the partners and their children. The conflict or divorce of
their parents can cause considerable suffering to children.
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Keywords
Marriage and Marital Conflict