Page 32 - Character Types of the Unbelievers

CHARACTER-TYPES OF THE UNBELIEVERS
wives is that most young girls believe that they will be freer when
they are married. After having lived for years under their family’s
control, and according to the rules imposed upon them, they think
that marriage is the easiest and the shortest way for change. For this

reason, they often marry the first suitable man that comes along.
Nevertheless, while ignorant women want to marry, they are also
aware of the difficulties that come with marriage. But they are will-
ing to ignore these difficulties with the hope that they will be able to
live by their own rules.
In marriage, women enter into a situation where they are often
burdened with more material and personal responsibilities than

they had to deal with before. Besides, they cannot be always free to
live according to their own rules, because, based on the norms that
govern ignorant societies, the master of the house is the man, and he
commands the woman according to his rules and beliefs. So, noth-
ing changes; the husband takes on the role her family once did.
There is another important reason for some women’s desire to
become housewives: the assumed material means that marriage
provide. Especially for some girls from families with scarce means,
marriage is considered the primary opportunity to improve their

circumstances. For this reason, young women are often advised by
their families to marry accordingly. And so, often the only criterion
a young girl considers in marriage is wealth. Rather than marrying
one she admires for his standards of morality and character, she
chooses a man who will offer her a prosperous future, or a better life
than she had known with her family. In return, she is prepared, if
necessary, to get up early every morning for the rest of her life, cook

meals, do the laundry and housekeep.

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