Lama and Rabi did not give up the joy of their "wedding night" despite the difficult economic conditions that forced them to postpone their wedding for a whole year. They decided to settle for a photo session in wedding attire without holding a celebratory event that they could not afford, and they adopted a policy of austerity in choosing the dress, suit, and salon costs, which also extended to home preparations. Although they were fortunate to have purchased most of their home furniture before the crisis and the skyrocketing dollar exchange rate—"otherwise, we would be dreaming of buying it now"—about 30% of the household items remained incomplete. The step taken by Lama and Rabi is no longer available to many under the current crisis. A tour of furniture and electrical appliance stores reveals that the cost of preparing a home for a couple with just the essentials, meaning a living room, a bedroom, a dining table, and basic quality electrical appliances, ranges between $5,000 and $6,000, equivalent to 150 million Lebanese pounds. This amount is no longer within reach for many.
The housing crisis has also played a significant role in turning the idea of marriage into a daunting one, coupled with a banking crisis and the rising rents that increase with the dollar's appreciation against the Lebanese pound, leading to a rise in the unemployment rate in the country. According to a study published by "International Information," based on the National Social Security Fund, it was revealed late last year that the unemployment rate has approached 35% of the estimated workforce of around 1.34 million workers, meaning the number of unemployed individuals fluctuates between 470,000 and 500,000.
**Maintaining the Relationship**
The challenges of marriage are not limited to financial matters, but extend to maintaining the relationship under such conditions for it to continue and culminate in marriage. Sirin, who married her partner a month ago, says she never considered ending her relationship with her fiancé due to the crisis. She believes her loyalty and love for him is stronger than any circumstances. They received help from their families and close friends in the form of financial and material gifts, which they relied upon to complete their household purchases. She does not hide the difficulties she and her husband faced to reach this day, saying, "We deprived ourselves of some things." They limited themselves to a small wedding instead of a larger celebration to save the required amounts for essential household items. Today, they face a new challenge with daily expenses including electricity, water, internet, food, and rent. Many obligations have led them to decide to postpone their plans for having children "for at least one year, so we can feel the financial stability that allows us to take such a step."
**Childbirth: The Biggest Concern**
Dr. Suhair Al-Ghali, a social specialist in the Ministry of Social Affairs, and an expert in family issues, confirms the existence of this tendency among newlyweds, considering that "the current situation has negatively affected relationships." She indicates that there has been an increase in divorce rates due to the crisis, "and those who were thinking about marriage have retreated due to their inability to bear the financial burdens of marriage or childbirth."
Childbirth and raising children are a significant concern for married couples or those planning to marry. The figures presented by the International Information organization based on the General Directorate of Personal Status clearly illustrate this, showing a 32% decrease in birth rates in 2021 compared to 2018, alongside a 7.2% decrease in marriage contracts, a notably high and dangerous percentage, with some attributing it to the economic situation, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted childbirth and marriage.
**Emigration and Divorce**
Researcher Mohammad Shamseddine from "International Information" connects the decline in birth rates and marriage contracts with emigration and divorce. He notes that the decline in births coincides with a massive wave of emigration from the country, "approximately 70% of those who emigrated are between the ages of 25 and 40, meaning they are from young groups." Shamseddine believes this will lead to "an inversion in the age pyramid over the next ten years, which will turn the Lebanese society into an aging, non-productive society that may need foreign labor to become productive."
But could social factors, represented by imported ideas and openness to other societies, be a reason for this decline? Shamseddine answers: "New concepts and Western ideas could influence the decrease in marriage and childbirth rates but not to such a significant extent, as it has not declined in the last 6 or 7 years to the level it has reached now."
On the other hand, social psychologist and therapist Sana Jamal rejects the notion that the economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic only affect marriage; she asserts that "our societies are also influenced by the values of modern globalized societies, as there is a social segment that combines traditional and modern values."
**Cultural Challenges?**
Families in our Arab societies today face external attacks that do not align with their culture in an attempt to undermine their moral concepts and fundamental values, according to family affairs specialist Dr. Suhair Al-Ghali. She defines the family as a social value in itself, built on a partnership to produce well-adjusted individuals in society. In her view, "ideas and principles imported from a Western society cannot entirely match the particularity of our society and culture if they are dissimilar; thus, we find ourselves facing a significant social challenge focused on maintaining the family structure." Al-Ghali notes that "emigration has greatly affected the delay in marriage, as youth have postponed their commitments to life partners, leading to decreased opportunities for females to find suitable partners."
She affirms that "the emigration of females for education and work has also contributed to worsening this crisis due to changing their priorities, making marriage a secondary issue."
Regarding solutions, Al-Ghali advises couples not to succumb to the idea of separation, especially during this crisis: "The more robust the relationship, the more external factors become opportunities to strengthen it." She adds, "A tree bends during a storm but does not break. Therefore, any couple should find alternative solutions and adjust their lifestyle, as the pre-crisis situation is not the same as the post-crisis one. Every crisis is temporary, and even if it lasts, it will eventually end."
