MARRIAGE AND FAMILY IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERNIZATION: AN ETHNOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF EASTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Today, the study of marriage and family remains a topic of interest not only within academic circles but also among the general public. Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has experienced significant economic, political, and social transformations that have also impacted marriage and family structures. As a result, this subject has become the focus of extensive scholarly research.

This article examines the state of marriage and family in the eastern region of Kazakhstan, exploring its development over time, shifts in family values, reasons for marriage, age at first marriage, the educational background of spouses, divorce rates, and causes of marital dissolution. The study employed historical-ethnographic and ethnosociological methods, supplemented by a comparative analysis of data from the national censuses of 1999 and 2009. The theoretical and methodological framework of this article is grounded in general scientific methods including analysis, synthesis, and systems methodology alongside historical and ethnographic approaches. To investigate issues of marriage and family in the East Kazakhstan region, the historical-chronological method was utilized. Statistical methods were employed to analyze census data from 1999 and 2009, while the comparative method was applied to determine trends in marriage age and divorce rates.

The empirical foundation of this study consists of ethnological and ethnosociological materials, statistical data, and scholarly research.

Statistical findings are enriched with ethnographic insights, offering a deeper understanding of the evolving characteristics of families in the region. Particular attention is given to the influence of region-specific socio-economic factors on the state of marriage and family life. Ultimately, the article aims to contribute to efforts that strengthen family stability in contemporary Kazakhstan.