The Pattern of Religious Marriage and Transition to Civil Marriage in Türkiye: Evidence from Demographic and Health Surveys Based on Marriage Cohorts

Öz

This study examines the transition from religious to civil marriage in Türkiye, focusing on generational shifts in marriage practices. Using pooled data from the Türkiye Demographic and Health Surveys (TDHS) conducted between 1998 and 2018, the study employs life table analysis to explore the timing and likelihood of these transitions across different marriage cohorts. The findings reveal a consistent decline in the median transition time from religious to civil marriage over generations, with more recent cohorts transitioning more rapidly. Additionally, the study highlights the influence of socioeconomic factors, showing that women from poorer households, those whose mother tongue is Kurdish, and those with lower education levels are more likely to remain in religious-only marriages for longer periods. These patterns reflect broader transformation processes of marriages in Türkiye, where hybrid models blending traditional and modern elements are increasingly prevalent. By situating these trends within the hybrid model and forerunners theory, this research provides a nuanced understanding of the interaction with tradition in shaping marriage practices. The findings underscore the need for targeted policies to address socioeconomic and regional disparities, ensuring equitable access to the legal and social protections associated with civil marriage.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Religious Ceremony
• Religious Marriage
• Civil Ceremony
• Marriage Cohorts
• Marriage Ceremony

TÜRKİYE’DE DİNİ NİKAH ÖRÜNTÜSÜ VE RESMİ NİKAHA GEÇİŞ: TÜRKİYE NÜFUS VE SAĞLIK ARAŞTIRMALARINDAN ELDE EDİLEN EVLİLİK KUŞAKLARINA DAYALI KANITLAR

Öz

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de dini nikahtan resmi nikaha geçiş incelemekte ve evliliklerdeki kuşaksal değişimlere odaklanılmaktadır. 1998 ile 2018 yılları arasında yürütülen Türkiye Nüfus ve Sağlık Araştırmalarından (TNSA) toplanan verileri kullanarak, çalışma farklı evlilik kuşaklarında bu geçişlerin zamanlamasını ve olasılığını keşfetmek için yaşam tablosu analizini kullanmaktadır. Bulgular, nesiller boyunca dini nikahtan resmi nikaha geçişin ortanca süresinde tutarlı bir düşüş olduğunu ve daha genç kuşakların daha hızlı geçiş yaptığını ortaya koymaktadır. Ayrıca, çalışma sosyoekonomik faktörlerin etkisini vurgulayarak, daha yoksul hanelerde yaşayan kadınların, ana dili Kürtçe olanların ve daha düşük eğitim düzeyine sahip olanların yalnızca dini nikahla daha uzun süre evli kaldıklarını göstermektedir. Bu bulgular, geleneksel ve modern unsurları harmanlayan melez modellerin giderek yaygınlaştığı yaklaşımla Türkiye’deki evliliklerin daha geniş çaplı dönüşüm süreçlerini yansıtmaktadır. Bu bulguları melez model ve öncüler teorisine yerleştiren bu çalışma, evlilik pratiklerini şekillendirmede gelenekle etkileşime dair ayrıntılı bir anlayış sağlamaktadır. Bulgular, sosyoekonomik ve bölgesel eşitsizlikleri ele almak, resmi nikahla ilişkili yasal ve sosyal haklara eşit erişimi sağlamak için hedefli politikalara olan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Dini Nikah
• İmam Nikahı
• Resmi Nikah
• Evlilik Kuşakları
• Evlilik Töreni

Kaynakça

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