Over the years, perceptions toward girls' education in the Kingdom have changed significantly. Nearly 25 years ago, there was nothing wrong or shameful if a girl stayed at home and did not go to school, nor were they expected to find work. Back then, social customs viewed any activity that involved girls leaving the house as something that should be avoided and as a result, girls were often married at very young ages. However, in recent years, women have made major inroads in the education field and labor market as more opportunities have become available to them to enroll in colleges and universities and pursue higher studies abroad.
In contrast to the past, today's society looks unfavorably upon girls who stay at home and show no ambition to study or work. Some parents, however, still continue to view early marriage as more important than educating their daughters. Al-Riyadh daily investigates.
Badria Al-Arad said after her daughter completed high school, she stayed at home and did not pursue higher education or find a job.
Al-Arad is so eager to marry her daughter off that she said she will say yes to the first proposal that comes for her daughter. Even though her daughter does not want to get married, Al-Arad believes she will be better off with a husband.
“My daughter wants to enjoy her time off after high school by helping me do household chores and watch TV shows with me. She told me that she is not ready for marriage yet but I know she will be happier married,” she said.
Sarah Al-Harbi went to college for two years before dropping out to take up a job. Her family convinced her to give up her education and she worked for some time before starting her own business. “My family does not want me to venture into any new projects because they want me to get married first as they believe marriage is the best future for me,” she said.
Sabah Saad, a high school counselor, said most parents give marriage the utmost priority when it comes to their daughters. To them, marriage comes before education and some of them force their daughters to drop out of school or college in order to get married.
“This is very common among impoverished families who view marriage as a salvation for their daughters and the solution that will solve all their problems. Often, women without college education pay a hefty price if they get divorced as it will be difficult for them to find a job.
Eventually, they will become a burden on their families again, perhaps this time a bigger burden. Any young woman who goes through this experience will come out of it devastated and depressed,” Saad said.
A training instructor at a private institute, who requested anonymity, told Al-Riyadh daily that most of her female students are divorced women who were married off young and did not have a chance to complete their high school or college education.
“The government pays for these courses to help these poor women improve their living conditions and regain self-confidence to start anew,” the instructor said.
She urged women who are facing the same problem to sign up for courses and not give in to traditions. “They should seize this opportunity and learn new skills that help them find a good job to support themselves and their families,” she added.
But not all women who are married off at a young age fail in their marital lives.
Dana finished college but was unable to pursue higher education because her family married her off. Dana was jobless for a few years because she could not leave her children and work.
She then started her own business selling children's clothes online.
By utilizing social media platforms to market her products, Dana was able to establish a steady flow of income and is content with her personal and professional life.
