
29/05/2025
The Pressure to Marry: How to Handle It
“15 years ago, he reached out to me and we started chatting. He told me about himself and the type of business he was into. He asked me about me, I told him everything about myself.
We became friends and exchanged numbers. Later, our chat and talk increased. He told me that he will like us to take our relationship to the next level. I was also interested in him because my parents were already complaining that I didn't want to bring a man home.
I saw him as my prince charming. As a result , I accepted. He sent me money and gifts several times. One evening, he told me that he would like to meet me in person so we can plan on when to visit my parents. I was so happy, it was an answered prayer for me.
He flew from Abuja to Calabar and visited me. I loved everything about him that I saw. Two weeks later, we visited my parents and to cut the long story short, we got married and reality set in.
He beats me to stupor, and doesn't allow me to talk to anyone or bring anyone to our home.
One day, while I was arranging the house, I saw a bunch of papers and wanted to know whether I should discard them. It was a letter from his ex wife telling him how she's glad that she has moved on. She stated in the letter that she didn't know that he had married two wives before her, and they all left him because of how he bullied them too.
It then dawned on me that I'm the fourth wife and that I am not safe with him. I remembered that I was carried away with the pressure of getting married without even finding out who he really was.
One day, he almost beat me to death. I ran for my life when I regained consciousness.”
“Today, I'm a 48 years old lady full of regrets, no husband, no children. I'm full of fears, I don't know how to start again since after that incident. So, when I read your post online today, I wished I saw it years back”, she said.
The truth is, the pressure to marry has led so many people to marry the wrong partner.
Once someone reaches their early twenties for ladies and early thirties for men , their family, friends or society want to see them marry. And When they don't see that person making moves towards getting married, they will start pressuring them towards getting married.
If you're in this age range and still single, you will start hearing questions like, "When are you getting married?" or "Don't you want to settle down?"
These questions, though often well-meaning, can feel intrusive and place unnecessary pressure on individuals like you.
Social media also amplifies this pressure. Seeing friends, peers, or even celebrities getting engaged, married, or starting families can make you feel left behind. This has led many women and men to make regrettable decisions who they choose to marry and when they get married..
Here are some tips that will guide you on how to handle the pressure to marry
🎯 Acknowledge Your Feelings: It's essential to recognize and accept your emotions. You do want to get married and that’s okay. Feeling stressed or anxious because you;re getting older and haven’t met the person you will marry is normal. Such feelings show that you are a human being with blood flowing in your veins. Allow yourself to process these feelings without judgement.
🎯 Set Boundaries: It's okay to set boundaries with people who pressure you. Politely let them know that you're not comfortable discussing your relationship status. You can say something like, "I appreciate your concern, but I'm focusing on other areas of my life right now."
🎯 Focus on Personal Growth: Instead of succumbing to the pressure, use this time to invest in yourself. Focus on your career, hobbies, or personal development. The more content you are with your life, the less external pressures will affect you.
🎯 Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Spend time with friends and family who respect your choices and don't pressure you to conform to societal norms. A strong support system can make a big difference.
🎯 Trust Your Timing: Everyone's journey is different. Just because others are getting married doesn't mean you're behind. Trust that the right time and person will come when it's meant to be.
The pressure to marry is real and often a challenging experience, but it doesn't have to dictate your life choices. By understanding the source of this pressure, setting boundaries, and focusing on your personal growth, you can navigate this period with confidence.
Remember, marriage is a significant step that should be taken on your terms, not because of societal expectations. A decision to marry will significantly impact the next fifty years of your life.
Trust your journey, and know that the right path for you is the one that feels authentic and true to who you are.
©️ Modupe Ehirim