Marriage, in a country like Pakistan, is a story set in a time when social, cultural, and emotional factors all come together to shape a complex decision-making process. For many girls here, the journey before marriage is often influenced by their family’s expectations, societal norms, and their own aspirations. This article explores Pakistani girls’ decisions regarding marriage, their emotions, and the choices they make. In this journey, girls find themselves at different crossroads in life, where each girl is going through her unique experience. These are the stories of 30 girls who understand their marriage decisions and life journey in their own way.
1. Nana – Umar: 15
Nana wanted to help her family. When her family decided on her marriage, Nana felt that it wasn’t her personal choice, but rather a family expectation. “I feel like if I get married, a new chapter of my life will begin,” says Nana. Before her marriage, she had worked hard on her studies, but due to her family’s needs, she sacrificed her career. Nana’s story reflects the experience of many girls in Pakistan who give up their dreams for the sake of their families and view marriage as the most important step in their lives.
2. Zainab – Umar: 16
Zainab was always ahead in her studies. Her dream was to one day become a doctor, but the pressure of marriage became a huge challenge for her. “I thought that if I got married, my dreams would never come true,” says Zainab. Her family kept telling her, “Your time has come, get married,” but Zainab struggled to make the decision due to her commitment to her career. Even today, Zainab is still trying to find a balance between her career and marriage.
3. Ayesha – Umar: 17
Ayesha was a talented student, but the expectation of marriage made her hesitant about fully committing to the decision. “I felt that after marriage, my personal growth and career aspirations could be hindered,” says Ayesha. Her family put a lot of pressure on her to get married, and in the end, she set aside her personal dreams. Even now, Ayesha is trying to navigate the balance between her career and marriage. Ayesha’s story highlights how, many times, girls end up sacrificing their own happiness in favor of family decisions.
4. Fariha – Umar: 18
When Fariha decided to get married, she thought it was important to continue her education and career. “I wanted to achieve my dreams even after marriage,” says Fariha. However, pursuing her goals after marriage turned out to be much more difficult than she had anticipated. Fariha’s story represents the many girls who try to pursue their dreams and goals after marriage, but face obstacles due to societal and family expectations. Even now, Fariha is still trying to balance her career with the responsibilities of marriage.
5. Maryam – Umar: 19
Maryam had to find a balance between marriage and her education. “I saw marriage as a natural step, but I also had to pursue my career goals,” says Maryam. She continued her studies after marriage, but it brought new challenges into her life. “After marriage, you have to plan your life together with your partner,” she says. Maryam’s story shows that today’s girls view marriage not just as a social obligation, but as an important step for their personal growth and development.
6. Sana – Umar: 20
Sana was considering continuing her career goals after marriage. “Achieving my goals after marriage could be difficult, but I don’t want to give up on my ambitions,” says Sana. Her family had advised her to get married, but she felt that after marriage, she might not be able to fulfill her dreams. “I feel that if I get married, I won’t be able to achieve anything for myself,” Sana thought deeply about her decision. Even today, she is still trying to find the perfect balance between her career and marriage.
7. Nida – Umar: 21
Nida was a passionate student, but the decision to get married became quite complex for her. “I wanted to complete my studies before marriage, and pursuing my career after marriage was also very important,” says Nida. She felt that after marriage, she wouldn’t be able to achieve her goals. Understanding the pressure from her family, she went ahead with the marriage, but after that, she had to shift her goals. Nida’s story illustrates the significant challenge that modern girls face in managing both marriage and career.
8. Sadaf – Umar: 22
Sadaf needed to pursue her career goals after marriage. “I didn’t want to give up on my career, and even after marriage, I wanted to fulfill my ambitions,” says Sadaf. Her family thought that after marriage, she wouldn’t be able to pursue her dreams, but Sadaf managed to balance both her dreams and marriage in her life. “I had to manage both my career and marriage,” Sadaf says. Her story highlights how today’s girls are striving to find a balance between their personal and professional lives.
9. Samina – Umar: 23
Samina saw marriage as an emotional connection. “In marriage, I wanted emotional support and understanding from my partner,” says Samina. She believed that marriage should not just be a ritual, but a mutual understanding between partners. While her family pressured her to marry, for Samina, the decision was deeply tied to her emotions and happiness. After marriage, she shared her life goals with her partner and started receiving the emotional support she needed. Samina’s story highlights how today’s girls view marriage as an emotional partnership, one that is built on mutual respect and understanding.
10. Rida – Umar: 24
Rida said, “Marriage is an emotional journey where you have to plan your life with your partner.” For Rida, it was essential to understand her personal and emotional needs when making the decision about marriage. “I think it’s important to pursue my goals after marriage, but I also need the support of my partner,” says Rida. Her story reflects that of many girls who view marriage as something that ties into both their emotional fulfillment and personal growth. Even now, Rida is still trying to find the perfect balance between her marriage and career.
Conclusion
The stories of these 10 girls show that the decision to marry in Pakistan is both a personal and social challenge. Each girl has her unique experience, where she has to balance her family’s expectations, career aspirations, and personal goals. This article attempts to understand this complex process, where girls at every stage of their lives connect their decision to marry with their emotions and social responsibilities.
