Family of the Ottoman Empire By: Mariah White

Marriage in the Ottoman Empire Men married around the age of 17 and women married around the age of 15 Marriage took place after an engagement period. Traditionally, marriage has been--and frequently continues to be-- contract negotiated. Representatives of the bride and groom negotiate the contract, which stipulates such terms as the size and nature of the bride-price paid by the family of the groom to the family of the bride

Marriage in the Ottoman Empire The civil code requires only that the bride and groom, as individuals, swear vows before two witnesses and a representative of the state who registers the union. Many couples hold two ceremonies, a religious one to satisfy their families and a civil one to entitle them to government social benefits.

Marriage in the Ottoman Empire The male could have up to four wives as long as he could support them all and treat them fairly Normally the amount of the bride-price is directly related to the status of the families involved. However, the amount tends to be less if the two families have a close blood relationship. A man can initiate divorce easily and is not required to cite any reasons; the grounds on which a woman can seek divorce, however, are tightly restricted, and she is obligated to prove fault on her husband's part.

Men and Women of the Ottoman Family Unmarried females are expected to abstain from all sexual activity before marriage. Married women are expected to remain faithful to their husbands. Women took care of daily routine household duties such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children. Childbearing often occurred between the ages of fifteen and nineteen.

Men and Women of the Ottoman Family The father of the family is the representative and protector of the family. The father is responsible for the family’s basic income.

Households Nuclear and Extended households were the two main types of households Ottomans used. Majority of the homes were nuclear. Houses were divided into two sections: One section for the man, and the other section for the women and children This was to protect the women and children

Households Ottomans had Harem households which refers to the sphere of women in a usually polygynous household and their quarters which is enclosed and forbidden to men. Ottoman tradition relied on slave concubines along with legal marriage for reproduction.

Households Houses are perfect examples of old civilian architecture, reflecting the Turkish social life of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The End Sources Sonbol, Amira. Women, the Family, and Divorce Laws in Islamic History. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press, 1996. "Turkey-Marriage". March 7, 2010 <http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-13953.html>. Sansal, Burak. "The Ottoman Harem". Burak Sansal 1996–2010. March 7, 2010 <http://www.allaboutturkey.com/harem.htm>.