| dc.description.abstract | This study examines socialization of women into marital responsibilities with focus on
bachelorette parties/ bridal showers in Nairobi County. In particular, this study sought to
establish why the idea of bridal shower is gaining popularity in Kenya, what is the importance
and significance of bridal showers in today's society and does it achieve its socializing purpose.
This follows a series of debates from public radio stations and many questions asked in
newspapers about bridal showers. Traditionally, many African communities had occasions
where adolescents were taught what was expected of them regarding their gender roles and
marital responsibilities. The objectives of the study were to find out how women are socialized
into gender roles and marital responsibilities through bridals showers, how the event has evolved
over time. The study further sought to investigate how bridal showers are understood and
experienced in Kenya and the attributes of the people engaging in them.
A total sample of 80 purposive selected women were interviewed all of who had attended bridal
showers through questionnaires,4 key informants were interviewed who often participate in this
events and3 focus group discussions were conducted. Additional data was obtained through
observation conducted in 4 bridal showers. The study found that bridal showers are very popular
among young educated women in Nairobi and women enjoy getting together and participating in
these events for different reasons. It also found other related events that socialized women to
assume their gender roles in the history of many communities in the world like in Asia, Europe,
America and Africa. Bridal showers offer a platform where gender and sexual roles are passed
on to women before marriage. The study discovered that the party is organized in homely
settings due to the privacy required in the discussions of gender and marital responsibilities. The
bride-to-be is given advice and gifts by friends and family which are tied to the new roles she is
going to take up as a wife and mother.
The study found women attend the event due to the useful exchange of information on sex and
marital responsibilities by people who have been there or others who have specialized and done
research in that field, the getting together of many friends and cathartic effect it has on women. It
is also important to women because of the intentional time offered by friends and family to bid
and usher the bride-to-be into another social status, marriage. The study noted a positive
perception by majority of the women regarding bridal showers many indicating they are proud
and happy about the quality and socializing purpose bridal showers serve in society. This is
because not only are women socialized into gender and sex roles before marriage, but love and
comradeship is communicated at this time to the bride by the family and friends. ,
The study recommended stakeholders to have a common avenue for feedback so that needs and
ideas can be communicated back to better bridal showers. Another recommendation made was
for incorporation of post marital counseling for newlyweds because sometimes the bride-to-be is
too excited on her bridal shower to get all the advice given on her roles. The study also
discovered a need to do the same research in other parts of the country and also investigate if
men have an equally informative session set aside for them. In conclusion, the study found that
getting married is one of the most celebrated and revered transitions in a woman's life. Therefore,
many rituals and events exist to prepare a woman to become a wife. Bridal shower is one of
those that is most steeped in tradition. | |
