Table 4 Comparison of age groups within the theme (theme: early marriage as fate)

“I don’t know why (I got married). Maybe it’s fate.” (No. 9, Malay, married at 16 years old.)

“There were (people talking behind my back), but I ignored them. Because it’s already fate.” (No. 4, Malay, married at 15 years old.)

“I don’t know how it led to marriage. It’s fate, as they say. We stayed married until now.” (No. 8, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“I guess it’s fate. Nobody forced us (to get married)” (No. 11, Malay, married at 16 years old.)

“Maybe it’s fate (that I got married), and our families have given their blessing.” (No. 16, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“At that point, I viewed young marriage as my fate, but it wasn’t well-received by my family because I was still a child.” (No. 2, Bidayu, married at 16 years old.)

“It’s normal. That’s what they call fate.” (No. 3, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“(The ideal age of marriage is in your) 20s. But what to do? It’s my fate.” (No. 17, Malay, married at 17 years old.)