Table 5 Comparison of age groups within the theme (theme: family disharmony)

“My parents were divorced when I was in Primary 4 (at 10 years old).” (No. 5, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“I lived with my grandmother since I was 4 years old until Form 5 (17 years old).” (No. 6, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“My father married my mother before he got divorced and married to another, and then divorced again, and now he has another wife.” (No. 8, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“My parents had their problems. They got divorced when I was in Standard 4 (at 10 years old); they separated.” (No. 16, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“I was under my grandmother’s care since I was young. I only went back to my mother’s house when I was older.” (No. 20, Malay, married at 17 years old.)

“My father had proposed a potential husband for me, but I didn’t want him. I didn’t want a man who was already married and looking for another wife to convert to Islam. So, I ran away. I looked for a job so I wouldn’t have to marry. I found my own money first. When I was old enough, I was pressured to marry. He (the father) told me to marry that old Chinese man. I didn’t want to. So, I had to find a young man.” (No. 1, Malay, married at 15 years old.)