subject: Traditional Marriage still exists [print this page] In the traditional society of Armenia, marriage was considered obligatory for all, except for people with physical or mental disabilities. Many tried to marry off their children as soon as possible but others decided on voluntary celibacy that some girls considered a charity case and their decision was absolute respect for the family and fellow villagers. In an introductory marriage strictly on seniority: custom forbade the younger to marry and to marry before the elder brothers and sisters.
Severe impediment to marriage, as already noted, was an artificial relationship. Thus, the adopted generation had no right to marry a girl of the same generation because it is considered a close relative. Quite common among Armenians was nepotism which was mandatory regardless of whether it was a wedding or baptism. Marriage communication was strictly prohibited not only with the family Godfather but also between the descendants of godmothers.
Marital range was limited and geographically, for example when the bride tried to choose a home or a nearby village. Interesting from this point of view of an old Armenian proverb: "Better give her a local shepherd, than a stranger king. On the one hand, local endogamy was due to a closed life historically arisen in connection with the mass migrations of ethnographic groups of the Armenian ethnic group with their specific consumer culture. Therefore, the old-timers and immigrants, who lived mostly in different villages, tried to avoid the family.
Some restrictions on marriage have survived to our time. This prohibition of marriage ties with relatives and between foster brothers and sisters, to maintain the traditional order of age brothers and sisters in marriage (although the latter is now often broken). In addition, the issue of marriage modern urban youth decides more independently, usually by linking marriage with the need of mutual love and common interests. Rural residents often try to marry him immediately after his military service, and his daughter not later than 20 years.
