A changing culture in marital practices in South Africa: Experiences of urbanised Makotis and Mamazalas

Abstract

This study explored the views of mothers- and daughters-in-law regarding the changing cultural practices in marital processes. The study was conducted  in Pretoria North, South Africa. The social constructionism approach provided a perspective in understanding the views of mothers and daughters-in-law  regarding the changing marital practices. A qualitative approach allowed the researcher to obtain data from interviews with 20 mother-in-law and 20  daughter-in-law participants who had been involved in a mother-and-daughter-in-law relationship for at least six months. Textual data were analysed  through interpretative phenomenological analysis. Six themes emerged from the analysis, namely traditional marital processes regarded as  confusing/tedious; the rebellion of makoti against traditional cultural roles; fading customs; the importance of cultural practices in the mother-and-  daughter-in-law relationship; lack of cultural knowledge by urban mamazalas, and the role of religion in changing practices. Recommendations are also  provided to assist in exploring the impact of cultural practices on the mother-and-daughter-in-law relationship.