Abstract:
The social status and position in the family structure of daughters-in-law (kelins) in the
Kyrgyz society has been discussed previously and described as oppressed and influenced
by negative traditional practices. The present study explores the experience of young
women throughout wedding preparation during the first years of residing with the
husband’s parents. The study investigated the strategies that young women employed
during interactions with the in-laws throughout the stage of negotiation and decision-
making processes regarding wedding and future marital life. The results of 6 interviews
with recently married women were analyzed using the lens of Interpretative
Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings discuss the discursive positions which
respondents take during the interviews discussing their experience as brides and daughters-
in-law.