Perception of opinion leaders on society's approach to early marriage: A phenomenological research

Introduction: Early marriage remains a significant social issue worldwide, particularly in regions where cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors intersect. Understanding the perspectives of opinion leaders, such as neighborhood headmen, imams, and guidance counselors, can offer valuable insights into the prevailing attitudes and practices surrounding early marriage within societies. This study aims to investigate in depth the perception of opinion leaders (neighborhood headmen, imams, guidance counselors) regarding society's approach to early marriage. Methods: In this study, a phenomenological design from qualitative research methods was used. The study was conducted with five neighborhood headmen, seven imams, and six guidance counselors. The study's data were collected through an "introductory information form," and a "semi-structured interview form." Results: As a result of the synthesis of the interviews, three main themes emerged. In our study, although neighborhood headmen and imams stated that early marriages in the area where they work have decreased compared to the past and are not encountered today, guidance counselors had different opinions on this issue. Conclusion: The findings of this study may contribute to future studies by emphasizing that imams, neighborhood headmen, and counselors should be more proactive in preventing early marriage.