Early marriage in Roma communities in Ukraine: cultural and socioeconomic factors

Abstract

This paper analyses the situation with regard to early marriage in Ukrainian society generally and in Roma communities particularly, while highlighting the importance of gender-based analysis in Roma studies. Empirical studies provide a focus on the cultural and socio-economic factors relevant to a discussion of the situation of Roma women in Ukraine who marry early, especially the sense of conflict they feel between traditional culture and modern society as they relate their experience of marriage.