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.