A critical assessment of the experiences and perceptions of the couple in an unconsummated marriage

[摘要] It is generally accepted that the inability to consummate a marriage causescouples great distress, and can finally lead to divorce. Limited research has beendone on the unconsummated marriage in South Africa. International studies havepointed out that the unconsummated marriage is a reality and a prevalentproblem. While medical and therapeutic intervention is available, many peoplestill suffer in silence and feel embarrassed about their condition.The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the emotionaland psycho-social experiences and perceptions of the couple in anunconsummated marriage. In order to achieve this goal, the objectives of thestudy were to explore the experiences of the couple in an unconsummatedmarriage in order to obtain the couple's perception of their marriage; to present aliterature overview on the subject of marriage within the context of the family lifecycle; to describe the nature and causes of an unconsummated marriage; tocritically describe approaches and models that may be used for the assessmentof an unconsummated marriage; and to reflect on the implications of theemotional and psycho-social experiences and perceptions of the couple in anunconsummated marriage within a postmodern systemic framework.The purpose of the literature study was to provide a context for the researchstudy. The researcher conducted an extensive literature review in order toestablish and refine the research subject and to guide the empirical study. Anexploratory study was executed and the purposive non-probability samplingmethod utilised. The sample for this study was obtained from Intercare MedicalCentre, Johannesburg and The Square Medical Centre, Umhlanga between April2004 and November 2004. Ten couples that have not consummated theirmarriage were included in the sample. An interview schedule with open-endedquestions was used to conduct joint interviews with the couples.The empirical study enabled the researcher to draw certain conclusions. Themain conclusion was that males and females in an unconsummated marriageexperience and perceive control-related problems; negative feelings towards their own and their partner's body; a fear of engaging in an intimate relationshipand other phobias; a feeling of sin and moral dilemma; feelings of guilt andshame; the manifestation of depression and apathetic attitudes; personal distressand psychological problems; a feeling of serious regret and sadness; self-blame,self-destructive behaviour, mutilation and suicidal thoughts and episodes; andlastly, a lack of information on how to be sexually intimate with a partner.A number of recommendations flowed from the findings. The mainrecommendation was that healthcare professionals such as social workersshould be better educated about the phenomenon of the unconsummatedmarriage in order to make a correct diagnosis and deliver high quality medicaland therapeutic intervention.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University