PSYCHOSOCIAL MANIFESTATIONS OF PERCEIVED SUBMISSIVENESS IN NEWLY MARRIED WOMEN

Abstract

Marriage in patriarchal societies often demands conformity to rigid gender roles, where newly married women are expected to prioritize submissiveness and familial harmony, leading to internalized submissiveness that affects emotional well-being. The study aimed to explore how cultural norms, early gender role socialization, and marital dynamics shape submissive behaviors and their psychosocial consequences in newly married women. Using a phenomenological research design with thematic analysis, data were collected through semi-structured interviews to capture narratives in depth. Thematic analysis revealed six dominant themes: gender expectations, inequality consequences, social norms, emotional consequences, psychological consequences, and relationship dynamic. Results showed that submissiveness was not usually voluntary but shaped by gender conditioning and patriarchal customs. Women reported emotional suppression, loss of autonomy, diminished self-worth, and heightened risk to psychosocial issues. However, participants also demonstrated awareness of healthier relationship patterns, emphasizing mutual respect, balanced decision-making, and emotional safety. The findings highlight the urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions that challenge rigid gender roles and promote emotional empowerment in newly married women. Mental health practitioners can integrate counseling programs addressing self-silence and identity suppression, while community awareness campaigns may help deconstruct cultural narratives that equate submissiveness with virtue. The implication of the study is to challenge patriarchal conditioning as a means of reducing gender inequality and fostering women’s long-term psychosocial well-being