Courtship, marriage, and divorce in Cambodia

[citation needed] Customs vary as between rural and urban areas, with many city dwellers being influenced by western ideas.

[citation needed] The choice of a spouse is usually undertaken by the families of young men and women, sometimes with the help of a matchmaker.

[1] After a spouse has been selected, a go-between discusses the proposal with the parents, who need to be satisfied that the right choice is being made for their offspring.

The garments worn are covered with jewelry as a mark of respect to the parents of bride and groom, and all the couple's relatives and friends are present.

Though adolescent Cambodian children usually play with members of the same sex, boys and girls take part in group games during festivals, offering them the opportunity to begin looking for future partners.

[1] The choice of a spouse is a complex decision which may involve the parents and friends of the potential couple, as well as a matchmaker.

[1] In rural areas a young man may take a vow serve his prospective father-in-law for a period of time.

When both sides agree to the marriage and presents have been exchanged and accepted, the families consult an achar to set the wedding date.

In rural areas, there is a form of bride-service; that is, the young man may take a vow to serve his prospective father-in-law for a period of time.

Parts of the ceremony involve ritual hair cutting and tying cotton threads soaked in holy water around the couple's wrists.

[1] The legend of Preah Thaong and Neang Neak explains many Khmer wedding customs, in which the groom carries the bride's scarf, symbolizing that he is from afar and is marrying into her family, in contrast to Indian wedding customs where the bride holds the groom's scarf.

Spouse separation exceeding one year The majority of divorce cases in Cambodia (70%) are filed by women.