AZE.US
Social pressure and fear of public criticism could help reduce Azerbaijan’s divorce rate, according to sociologist Naib Niftaliyev.
Speaking to Demokrat.az, Niftaliyev said the question “What will people say?” continues to influence personal decisions involving marriage, divorce and having children in Azerbaijan.
“Public opinion, the views of others and the position of the majority are decisive for many people,” he said.
Niftaliyev argued that concern about society’s reaction should not automatically be dismissed as outdated thinking. Public opinion, he said, is a form of social control and an institution that can shape behavior alongside family, law and culture.
Its influence is particularly strong in Azerbaijan because marriage is often viewed not merely as a relationship between two people but as a bond between two extended families, he said. As a result, private decisions made by spouses frequently become matters of approval or criticism among relatives and the broader community.
The sociologist said attitudes also vary between urban centers and the regions. Relationships tend to become more equal in major cities, while family hierarchies remain stronger outside them, where older relatives may sometimes make decisions against the wishes of their children.
Niftaliyev acknowledged that such interference can restrict personal choice, weaken communication within a family and violate a couple’s boundaries. He said individuals should remain firm in decisions concerning their own lives rather than allow distant relatives or acquaintances to determine their future.
However, he argued that a certain degree of public disapproval toward divorce could help preserve marriages.
“In my opinion, sufficiently strong and effective public condemnation could significantly contribute to reducing the divorce rate,” Niftaliyev said. “This should be taken into account in the future.”
He also discussed the continued influence of traditional gender roles and the preference for sons in some Azerbaijani families.
According to Niftaliyev, pressure from relatives often extends to questions about when a couple will have children, why they do not want a second child and whether they hoped for a boy or a girl.
Such involvement in reproductive decisions can limit personal freedom and create additional tension within families, he said.
Niftaliyev argued that families with three or four children could help address Azerbaijan’s demographic challenges and reduce gender imbalance. He described that model as potentially more favorable for demographic growth, future pension funding and ties between generations.
AZE.US