Gender Dynamics in Early Marital Adaptation among Young Married Couples: Implications for Gender-Based Counseling
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Background: Early-stage marital adaptation among young couples often involves complex challenges related to communication, gender roles, economic pressure, and family intervention, all of which can affect marital stability and relationship quality. Aim: This study analyzes the dynamics of early marital adaptation among young couples and examines the relevance of gender-based counseling in supporting healthier relationship adjustment within marriage. Method: This study employed a qualitative case study design involving four young married couples. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation studies, and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns in communication, gender construction, conflict, and relational adaptation. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal that premarital communication quality consistently shaped the pace and quality of marital adaptation. Couples with limited relational interaction before marriage experienced greater emotional tension and communication difficulties during the early years of marriage. Patriarchal gender constructions remained dominant in the division of domestic roles and decision-making, often creating an unequal burden for wives, particularly when they also contributed economically. Economic pressure, unequal domestic responsibilities, and extended-family interference mainly triggered marital conflict. Despite these challenges, several couples gradually developed more cooperative and flexible relationships through shared experience and open communication. All participants expressed a strong need for accessible, contextual marriage counseling services. Conclusion: Gender-based counseling is relevant as an educational and preventive approach to help young couples develop healthier communication, negotiate roles more fairly, and build more adaptive and sustainable marital relationships.
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