Distanced attitudes toward marriage: Examining young adults’ negative views on marriage in Türkiye

In recent years, young adults’ distanced and negative attitudes toward marriage have become an increasingly discussed issue. In particular, the increase in age at first marriage and the decline in marriage rates highlight the importance of understanding how young adults evaluate marriage. This study aimed to examine the psychosocial factors that shape young adults’ distanced attitudes toward marriage. The research was conducted using a phenomenological qualitative design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 14 unmarried young adults aged 19–30 who were enrolled at Ondokuz Mayıs University in Samsun, Türkiye. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings showed that young adults’ distanced attitudes toward marriage were shaped by five main themes: economic concerns, loss of autonomy, negative references, social pressure, and difficulties in partner selection. Participants associated marriage with economic burden, increased responsibilities, loss of individual freedom, restriction of personal space, negative marital examples, social expectations, and uncertainty in finding a suitable partner. Overall, the findings suggest that marriage is no longer perceived by some young adults as a compulsory life stage, but rather as a decision evaluated through perceived costs, risks, social expectations, and individual life conditions. The study contributes to the literature by showing that young adults’ distanced attitudes toward marriage are not based on a single factor but on a multidimensional psychosocial evaluation process. These findings may inform psychological counseling, premarital psychoeducation, and preventive mental health practices aimed at understanding young adults’ perceptions of marriage.