The last two centuries of the Ottoman Empire are primarily the history of lost territories and wars. During this period, Ottoman society experienced many social, economic, and political losses. The wounds inflicted by these losses could not be easily healed; furthermore, the bloodshed contributed to the decline of the empire.
Especially during the National Liberation War period, the Ottoman society suffered significant human losses, mainly attributed to the young population, which was considered the guarantee of the country’s future. The Ottoman state lost the young population that sustained its economy, provided education, and possessed various skills. The decline in the young population, coupled with the utilization of educated youth in battles, resulted in a heavy toll on both the state and the nation. Additionally, due to the shortage of young male population and their deployment at the frontlines, women took on responsibilities for tasks at the rear.
The newly established Republic of Turkey’s government, starting from the era of the “First Assembly,” aimed to prevent population losses and once again have a young and dynamic population. Decisions, speeches, and laws were made regarding these matters, as the government attempted to take all necessary precautions.
Thanks to the visionary intellectuals in the First Assembly, policies were developed for the organization of social life, addressing the issues of the young population, even during the ongoing struggle for independence, including the National Liberation War. Measures were taken early on.
One of the most significant laws enacted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) regarding these matters is the “Law of Anti-Extravagance,” issued on November 25, 1920. This law restricted almost all entertainment and consumption habits that could lead to extravagance. Specifically, extravagant practices during weddings, such as displaying excessive dowry items, openly transferring dowry, introducing clothing for the groom with more than two layers, playing musical instruments and hosting feasts for more than one day on wedding occasions, displaying excessive luxury and gifts during engagement ceremonies, and performing extravagant dances, were all prohibited. It was explicitly stated that there would be penalties for those who did not comply with these rules, especially significant fines.
The primary intention of the First Assembly with this law was to prevent young couples from being burdened with significant financial obligations, to ensure that the young generation would not shy away from marriage due to financial difficulties, and to combat promiscuity. This way, the obstacles preventing marriage would be eliminated, the number of young people getting married would increase, and the necessary young population could be created.
The state was making every effort to encourage marriage and take all necessary precautions. By promoting marriage, an increase in birth rates would be achieved, thus preventing population losses. During the prolonged and heated debates in the Assembly, the heavy financial obligations before and after weddings were identified as the main reasons young people were avoiding marriage. Besides the financial losses caused by extravagance, the tradition of paying a significant amount as “head money” (a form of dowry) and the difficulty in paying the dowry set by this tradition were also obstacles to marriage. Young people who couldn’t afford the head money or dowry would either have to give up on marriage or attempt elopement. Particularly, elopement attempts mostly led to hostility and even murders between families. Therefore, significant debates were also held in the Assembly regarding the issues of head money and dowry. Since dowry was considered a religious necessity and a financial guarantee for married women, no agreement or law was established regarding the dowry.
Undoubtedly, the Law of Anti-Extravagance should be considered one of the most important steps taken by the newly established government to develop the country and the state. Although it may be thought of as a simple law concerning social life, it had a political and economic background as a state policy. For a country that had suffered significant losses in terms of population and had emerged from a war, having a young population is undoubtedly essential for development. These measures should be seen as critical and vital measures in their time.
While the circumstances have changed today, and Turkey has become a country with a young population, initiatives like these are still needed, not due to a lack of population but rather due to the difficulties young people face in terms of marriage. Unfortunately, there has been a significant decrease in marriage rates among our existing young population. This decline can be explained by the binding obligations young people encounter before and after marriage. Especially today, the transformation of wedding and engagement ceremonies into extravagant displays of wealth has created a dangerous situation, isolating couples from their families during this process. Young people who genuinely intend to get married are burdened with high amounts of debt and struggle with the negative psychological impact of these debts, which often lead to serious problems in their newly established households.
While celebrations, sharing, and ceremonies are undoubtedly essential and ancient traditions in weddings, it is essential to minimize these types of festivities whenever possible, as stipulated in the “Law of Anti-Extravagance,” without taking on excessive financial burdens. Instead of spending large sums on extravagance or entertainment, efforts should be made to assist young people in getting married without incurring debt. All necessary actions should be taken in this regard, primarily by families, with a sense of great responsibility.
