Between Cultural Expectations and Personal Choices: Marriage Attitudes of Central Asian Women

ABSTRACT: This qualitative study explores the evolving attitudes of marriage among Central Asian women living in the United Kingdom. Drawing on a social constructionist framework and employing reflexive thematic analysis, interviews with five single women from Central Asia reveal how migration, education, and exposure to new cultural environments shape their perceptions of marriage. Two overarching themes emerged from the data: the tension between cultural expectations and personal agency, and the negotiation of marriage as a choice shaped by lived experiences, gender norms, and structural constraints. These findings demonstrate a shift toward autonomy and critical reflection, whilst demonstrating a persistence of traditional pressures and patriarchal values. This study provides an in-depth appreciation of how gender, culture, and identity intersect in shaping marriage perceptions among diasporic youth and offers further insight that will inform future research and culturally informed support initiatives.