a study on the causes of rising mariage age among girls

the transition of iranian society from a traditional order to a modern one and experiencing the required life is considered as one of the causes in rising marriage age among girls. accordingly this research has probed theoretically and methodologically into the underlying roots. for the purpose of this research, a survey method has been used to gather data. the statistical sample includes two groups of married and single girls aged from 25 to 44 years old. the sample is drawn out from five city centers including tehran, sari, khorram abad, mashhad and sanandaj. results show that girls that marry late in their life 1) have more education, 2) have non- material attitude to marriage, and 3) have more beliefs that by marriage, lost opportunity cost is more than marriage opportunity. results imply that considering the experience of modernity in macro, middle and micro levels, dire consequences could be expected provided such experiences are not accompanied by well sketched plans and policies. this also holds true when the economical, social or cultural conditions of society, do not meets the requirements for adopting such transforms.