[HOUDA-K]

Marriage is highly valued and very much associated with procreation, so that marriage without children is almost unthinkable, revealed a survey conducted recently by a group of researchers for the Hassan II University of Mohammedia.


More than 90% of Moroccans, men and women, favour marriage..

A total of 1,000 people, representing all the Moroccan regions, were questioned. The criteria for choosing the population surveyed were based on the place of residence (urban/rural), gender, age, marital status, educational level and profession.

This national survey on Moroccan society's values concluded that more than 90% of Moroccans, men and women, favour marriage. Eighty five percent of them say it is preferable to marry before 25.

Early marriage is associated with women and the late one with men. Most of the population said that over 25 is the ideal age for men to marry.

By and large, the researchers reached a number of important conclusions concerning marriage, marital relations, and parental relations.

They found that both men and women felt that the most desirable quality in the spouse is the “Maâqoul” (seriousness) and obedience counts a lot in marital relations.

The results showed that girls' marriages are often arranged for her, but that most Moroccans favour free choice.

They also concluded that family solidarity enjoys a central position in Moroccans' lives. It is felt that old parents should be taken care of by their children and not by the state or charities.

The survey was designed to come up with a general idea about Moroccan society's values, concerning mainly family, tradition, religion, politics, work and leisure.

Earlier this year, Minister of Justice Mohamed Bouzoubaâ said that marriage rate increased by 3.48% between 2004 and 2005.

In January 2004, the kingdom introduced important amendments to the family code with view to enhancing women and children rights, and reinforcing family ties.