Zagreb
Guide for dating in Zagreb helps you to meet the best girls. This dating guide gives you tips how to date Croatian women. You will learn rules where and how to flirt with local Croatian girls. We advise how to move from casual dating to the relationship and find the real love. We also tell the best dating sites in Zagreb. In this article below you will find more information where to meet and date girls in Zagreb, Croatia.
Girls in Zagreb:
- Looks of girls: 3.5 / 5
- Attitude of girls: 3 / 5
- Loyalty of girls: 3 / 5
- Education level of girls: 4 / 5
Dating in Zagreb:
- Chance of arranging dates: 3 / 5
- Casual dating culture: 3.5 / 5
- Online dating popularity: 3 / 5
Sex in Zagreb:
- Women's sexual activity: 3 / 5
- One-night stands: 3.5 / 5
More about Zagreb:
- Nightlife in general: 3.5 / 5
- Locals' English level: 3 / 5
- Moving around the city: 3 / 5
- Budget per day: US$100 - $500
- Accommodation: US$40 - $200
Contents
Dating
The Republic of Croatia is a country in Southeast Europe. It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro to the southeast, sharing a maritime border with Italy. Croatia has an area of 56,594 square kilometers (21,851 square miles) and a population of 4.07 million, most of who are Roman Catholics. The capital and largest city is Zagreb. It is located in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately. The estimated population of the city was 900,000. The population of the Zagreb urban agglomeration is estimated at 1.1 million, approximately a quarter of the total population of Croatia.
The average women of Zagreb have a pretty decent attitude and they do not run away from men as it happens in some conservative nations. This is because of the open and broadminded environment in which most of the Zagreb women have been brought up. Yes, it is a fact that most of the women in Croatia in general and Zagreb, in particular, get married by the age of 25 and raise children and family.
Dating Culture
Despite 95% of Zagreb’s population being Catholic which is relatively conservative in matters of dating and relationships, the country has a very vibrant dating culture. Croatians are very social and so conversations between young men and women start at a very young age. However, because of this socialization sometimes what may appear to be a relationship may be simply two people of opposite gender having a conversation. Unlike many countries, public display of affection is a common occurence.
Sugar Dating
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Online Dating
Dating in Zagreb can be a bit tricky due to not knowing if you have a solid connection, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you venture to the night club or bar, so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Zagreb and get to know them on a personal basis before you meet in person. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting.
Webcam Dating
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Women
The average women of Zagreb are very good looking and have a beautiful complexion. They are of reasonable height and the average height of local women in Zagreb is around 5 feet 3 inches. It would also be pertinent to mention here that almost around 3% of women in Zagreb live alone either with their children or lead a lonely life. Most of these women belong to the age group of 23 to 40. They are ready to hook up with the right men who can understand them and get to know more about their emotional, mental and of course physical needs.
The women in this city have beautiful hair and you can find a combination of blonde and brunette women. They are well built and have stunning figures with shapely breasts and shoulders. Many modern and young women of Zagreb pay a lot of attention to their body and physique. They are into exercises and workouts in the gym. Hence, you can be sure that you can come across women who have a tapering hipline and the best of butts and lower abdomen.
The women also have extremely beautiful skin texture and it is further augmented by the fact that many of them have pink, rosy, soft and supple lips. The lips are luscious and to put things, in a nutshell, the average woman from Zagreb will make men look at them a few times
Croatian Girls (age 18 - 29)
The young college-going girls and those below the age of 25 are extremely broad-minded, open, naughty, and are willing to try out the things that perhaps were considered wrong even a few years back.
As the girls transition from childhood to adulthood, they undergo a physical transformation in their bodies. What was before small lumps on the chest grow on to become soft succulent and round breasts. Croatian women are naturally endowed in this area and you will start seeing the ladies consciously making them visible. The bum and hips also expand significantly. The facial complexion also changes resulting in naturally beautiful faces.
As they discover their sexuality, the girls will start investing in their looks. Those in rural areas tend to dress in traditional Muslim hijabs and burkas. Those in the urban areas are more liberal and some of them will be seen in tight-fitting clothes that accentuate their body-figures. The girls will also use cheap perfumes and other cosmetics to enhance their looks.
The girls in urban areas are more outgoing than rural ones. The girls can be easy to hook up with as most of them are savoring the new freedom caused by moving out of their parents' homes. For most girls, this is the age at which they get married.
Croatian Women (age 30 - 45)
It is a fact that most of the women in Croatia in general and Zagreb, in particular, get married by the age of 25 and raise children and family. However, there are thousands of women who prefer to remain single or get away from marriage because of various reasons. These women prefer to be independent and are willing to explore beyond the normal social boundaries that have been set for them.
This is what can be considered to be the prime age as the women are not at their peak in all aspects of growth. By now, their bodies are fully developed although some may still be experiencing growth in their erogenous areas.
Because these women are more financially stable, they can purchase pricier hence better clothes than when they were young. Those who are still single or the liberal ones will still be inclined to put on tight clothes that enhance their features. The married ones dress more conservatively. These women are also able to purchase better fashion accessories, jewelry and beauty products which they put both at work and when they go out.
Croatian Ladies (age 45+)
Age is catching up with most women and their feature will be slowly losing shape. The breasts and bum will no longer be as supple as when they were younger. However, some of the women here can afford the most luxurious beauty enhancement products that they will use to slow the deteriorating brought by age.
For those lucky women in formal employment, they will have risen through the ranks in their organizations and some may be in senior positions while others may be employers in their own right. Even the unmarried ones will be rich enough to have some property of their own such as houses and cars.
Age and experience will have made these women very mature especially in matters of relationships. These older women are mature enough to know what they want from a relationship and they will not hold back from stating it. Even though they may have lost some of their beauty and charm with age, these women know how to treat men and you can be sure of a good time with her.
Foreign Girls (tourists, expats, students, etc.)
As the capital city and the largest metropolis in Croatia, Zagreb attracts many tourists who land at the city’s airport and stay there for a few days before heading to the coast. The city itself has many attractions to keep the young girls busy as they stay there. Another group of foreign girls in the city of Zagreb are university students from Croatia's less-developed neighbors. The city has several universities and colleges that receive students from the Balkan region. As the country was recovering from many years of war, Zagreb also receives many expatriates who come to help in the rebuilding.
Sex
Croatian Girls are usually quite conservative which means that you will have to invest some time before one can allow you to have sex with her. Part of the reason for this is the strong religious presence in the country. More than 85% of Croatia's population is devout catholic and the teaching of religion makes many young girls uncomfortable with having sex outside marriage.
Sex Culture
Both men and women are always figuring out new ways to understand the opposite sex. But the bottom line always seems to be that women are known to be complicated and boys are said to be simple. For Croatian boys, some things count as usual and normal such as casual sex and one night stands, but there are always exceptions.
One-Night Stands
Many young Croatians are hooking up and having sex only to go their separate ways in the morning. This has been also greatly influenced by the great number of foreigners who come into the country for different reasons. These foreign women are seldom looking for long term relationships but will be content with one-night stands.
Best Places to Meet Single Girls
Zagreb is made for strolling. Wander through the Upper Town's red-roof and cobblestone glory, peppered with church spires. Crane your neck to see the domes and ornate upper-floor frippery of the Lower Town's mash-up of secessionist, neo-baroque and art deco buildings. Search out the grittier pockets of town where ugly-bland concrete walls have been transformed into colorful murals by local street artists. This city rewards those on foot. Even when there's nothing on, the center thrums with youthful energy, so it's no surprise that Croatia's capital is now bringing in the city-break crowd. Zagreb is the little city that could.
Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs
- Jabuka (Apple): This is an old-time favorite, with 1980s hits played to a thirty-something crowd that reminisces about the good old days when they were young and alternative. It’s a taxi ride or a walk through the woods, set away in a posh area.
- Katran: This former factory turned club, outside the center near Zagreb's new CBD, hosts varied weekend events, sometimes two parties on one floor, resulting in a diverse crowd and tunes. Events are posted on its Facebook page.
- Močvara: In a former factory on the banks of the Sava River, south of the center, 'Swamp' is one of Zagreb's best venues for the cream of alternative music and attractively dingy charm. Live acts range from dub and dancehall to world music and heavy metal.
- Funk: A rather-blah cafe during the day but at night Funk comes into its own. Head down the spiral staircase and you’ll see why this cult spot has locals at its beck and call. In a small basement with stone vaulted ceilings, DJs spin house, jazz, funk and broken beats for a boogie-happy crowd on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
- Sedmica: This low-key bar is hidden in an alleyway off Kačićeva, with a big Guinness sign marking the entrance. A gathering point for Zagreb's boho-intellectual crowd, it has a poky interior with a mezzanine and an outside patio that buzzes in warmer months.
- Vinyl: Much beloved by the locals, this all-day lounge on a popular stretch is split into cafe and club areas. It delivers fun both day and night, including live-music events, readings and exhibitions of books and vinyl, such as Masters of Memories on Monday evening. Don't miss the vinyl-only DJ sets on weekends, and the superb range of whiskey.
- Das Haus: Zagreb's most underground club, on the western outskirts of the city, only opens once or twice a month. But when it does, there's a great vibe and a very mixed crowd. Ask locally to find out if an event is happening.
- Maters: Zagreb's smallest club also has the most powerful sound system, the feel of a private party and top-notch local and international DJ acts spinning deep house, tech-house, dub and reggae.
- Aquarius: Past its heyday but still fun, this lakeside club has a series of rooms that open onto a huge terrace. House and techno are the standard fares but there are also hip-hop and R&B nights. During summer, Aquarius sets up shop at Zrće on Pag.
- Medika: This artsy venue in an old pharmaceutical factory calls itself an ‘autonomous cultural center'. It is the city’s first legalized squat, with a program of concerts, art exhibits and parties fuelled by cheap beer and rakija (grappa).
- Art Kino Grič: Home to some serious retro flair, this old-school cinema has been revamped into a colorful, two-floor cafe-bar and a small basement club (weekends only). There are occasional art exhibits and film screenings in the cozy projection room.
Shopping Malls
Some of the malls in Zagreb include:
- Supernova Garden Mall
- Branimir Centre
- Centar Kaptol
- Centar Cvjetni
- Avenue Mall
- Arena Center
- Galleria Importane
- Zagreb Main Square
Outdoors
Zagreb Eye observation deck is a visual paradise for lofty view seekers. It has 360-degree visuals so you won’t miss a thing. Here you can see the whole city panorama and its breathtaking surroundings from the 16th floor of the building. And there is a lot to see, from old historic structures to modern skyscrapers, Zagreb is a picturesque city and this is the place for the charm of the city to unravel in front of your eyes.
- Dolac Market: If you want to experience local life, this central open-air market in Zagreb it’s the place to visit. It’s a great spot not only to buy locally grown produce but also to feel like a local. Located just right behind the main square and visited by hundreds of people every day this market is an inseparable part of the city. Farmers from all around the Zagreb area come here to offer their best wares such as fruits, vegetables, and meat. Everything is fresh and looks very flavorful.
- Museum of Broken Relationships: From romances that withered to broken family connections, this wonderfully quirky museum explores the mementos left over after a relationship ends. Displayed amid a string of all-white rooms are donations from around the globe, each with a story attached. Exhibits range from the hilarious (the toaster someone nicked so their ex could never make toast again) to the heartbreaking (the suicide note from somebody's mother).
- Mirogoj: A 10-minute ride north of the city center takes you to one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe, sited at the base of Mt Medvednica. It was designed in 1876 by Austrian-born architect Herman Bollé, who created numerous buildings around Zagreb. The majestic arcade topped by a string of cupolas looks like a fortress from the outside but feels calm and graceful on the inside.
- Croatian Museum of Naïve Art: A feast for fans of Croatia’s naive art, a form that was highly fashionable locally and worldwide during the 1960s and ’70s and has declined somewhat since), this small museum displays 80 artworks (a smidgen of the museum's total 1900 holdings) that illustrate the full range of colorful, and often dreamlike, styles within the genre. The discipline’s most important artists, such as Generalić, Mraz, Rabuzin and Smajić, are all displayed here.
- King Tomislav Square: The largest city square named after the first Croatian King will catch your eye. It's in front of the Central Train station, so for those who come to Zagreb by train, it's the first sight they see. The stunning statue of King Tomislav statue and the Art Pavilions is the square's most striking features. This picturesque square is an outstanding place to relax and people often come here to sit and enjoy a moment. In the winter, this square becomes an outdoor skating paradise. It's a place to be visited time and time again.
The 13th-century St Mark’s Church is one of Zagreb’s most emblematic buildings. Its colorful tiled roof, constructed in 1880, has the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia on the left side, and the emblem of Zagreb on the right. The Gothic portal, composed of 15 figures in shallow niches, was sculpted in the 14th century. The interior contains sculptures by Ivan Meštrović, though the church is open only at Mass times.
Officially called Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog but lovingly known as Zrinjevac, this verdant square is a major hang-out during sunny weekends and hosts pop-up cafe stalls during the summer months. It's also a venue for many festivals and events, most centered on the ornate music pavilion that dates from 1891. Zrinjevac is part of the Green Horseshoe, also known as Lenuci Horseshoe, a U-shaped series of seven city squares with parks.
Narrow cobblestone streets, captivating buildings, historical surroundings, and the upper town charms you away. If you want to feel and see the old part of the city, this is the place to start. You can reach the upper town either by stairs or by a funicular – the choice is yours. Either way, the trip up the hill is worth your while. From street to street you can see the best places of the upper town, including the St. Mark's church, whose beauty is seen from afar thanks to the distinctive roof configuration.
Universities and Colleges
Some of the universities and colleges found in the country include:
- University of Zagreb
- Professional Business School of Higher Education
- Center for Croatian Studies
- Zagreb School of Economics and Management
- Catholic University of Croatia
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- International Graduate Business School
- RRiF College of Financial Management
- College of Agora
- Escola de Gerência de Zagrebe
Relationship
While Croatia and Zagreb in particular are considered modern cities, relationships especially those leading to marriage are conducted traditionally. It is generally expected that a relationship should have marriage as its ultimate goal and some people stay off dating until they are ready to get married. Relationships are normally initiated by men though some women are known to approach men to start a relationship with them. Croatian girls are known for their liking for finer things in life. It is therefore expected that a man will go out of his way to buy his partner expensive gifts.
An unwritten rule in Croatian relationships is that the man will meet all the recurrent costs during the relationship. Even if the meeting is not of any romantic intention, it is expected that the man will foot the bill.
Holiday Romance
World-systems create a tedious repetitive cycle that guides our adult life. Once someone gets a job, their life becomes a routine of moving from home to work every weekday morning and getting back home every evening. The weekends are used to do any pending house chores and for some, do side hustle. This trend becomes stricter once children come along.
It is therefore natural that we all look forward to getting away for the holidays. Holidays come with the added benefit because they offer the chance for one to hook up with beautiful girls. Spending the holidays in Zagreb is the perfect opportunity for you to hook up with local Croatian girls or even foreign girls who are also on holiday. While many people get into holiday romance planning to hook up just for the duration of the holiday, some of these hookups blossom into long-term dates which in turn may result in marriage. The various interesting places mentioned above will give you enough distractions and spice up your holiday romance.
Tips for Successful Relationship
Over time, we assume that our partner knows us so well that we don't need to ask for what we want. What happens when we make this assumption? Expectations are set, and just as quickly, they get deflated. Those unmet expectations can leave us questioning the viability of our partnership and connection. Keep in mind that "asking for what you want" extends to everything from emotional to sexual wants.
Create a weekly ritual to check in with each other. This can be short or long, but it begins by asking each other what worked and didn't work about the previous week and what can be done to improve things this coming week. Additionally, use this opportunity to get on the same page with your schedules, plan a date night, and talk about what you would like to see happen in the coming days, weeks, and months in your relationship.
Unless you have committed to an asexual partnership, sex and touch such as kissing, holding hands, and cuddling are vital components of a romantic relationship. How much sex a couple has is, of course, up to the particular pair of individuals, so you must discuss your ideas about it to manage any desire discrepancy.
Conversations quickly turn to arguments when we're invested in hearing our partner admit that we were right or when we are intent on changing their opinion. Choose to approach a conversation as an opportunity to understand your significant other's perspective as opposed to waiting for them to concede. From this perspective, you will have an interesting dialogue and prevent a blowout or lingering frustration.
It's well understood that apologizing is a good thing, but it only makes a real impact when you mean it. Saying things like "I'm sorry you feel that way," "I'm sorry you see it that way," or "I'm sorry if I upset you" are a waste of time and breath. Even if you don't agree that your action was wrong, you will never successfully argue a feeling.
Any issues you avoid, or truths you don’t want to acknowledge, will likely undermine your relationship. It’s better to face the truth squarely in the face right now and address it, rather than let it sabotage your relationship in the long run. Be intentional and figure out the truth about your relationship. Think through all aspects of it—your feelings and thoughts, the other person’s feelings and thoughts, as well as their external context.
Love
If there is one characteristic that separates human beings from other living beings is the ability and desire to love. Every human being is born with the ability to show love not only to the people one is born with such as family but with someone else whom we meet along the way. It is this ability that makes human beings start families as compared to other animals which mostly procreate without any feelings attached. A human being will sire another human and will continue to recognize and treat them as their child however old the child grows. This is in contrast to other animals that only bring their children up to the point where they can take care of themselves.
The relaxed environment of Zagreb provides a perfect opportunity for a love relationship. The city may be dominated by Catholics who may seem to be conservative but its people know how to love.
How to Make Sure She Is the One
While everyone is looking for different traits in their life partners, there are some essential traits you should seek, from empathy to consistency. These traits help you both to understand and love each other.
A healthy, stable relationship focuses on giving rather than taking. Seeing your significant other happy should make you just as happy, and she should treat you in the same way. Your joy should be her joy, too—it can be as simple as asking about your day or looking after you when you are sick. As time passes, the excitement at the beginning of the relationship will pass, but you should both be just as focused on giving each other happiness.
If you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you must find that person intellectually challenging. Looks are fleeting but personality is forever—your conversations together should be interesting, insightful and full of depth. Your partner should be able to challenge your opinions, opening up your mind to new ideas and concepts.
An ideal wife is someone who will do good things, not just because other men's wives do them too, but because they are the right things to do. She surpasses other women, not because she competes with them, but because she competes with herself and tries to improve every day a little bit more.
Before marrying a woman, you must be sure that she will always support you in any situation, especially in the presence of other people. If she is very considerate, then you won’t have to worry that she somehow will disgrace you. For example, a tactless woman may make a toxic comment to your relatives or may comment on your shortcomings in front of the guests. It doesn’t mean that she should always agree with you. She just has to know how to gently tell you about your problems.
There is a big difference between a wish and the ability to have children. If your girlfriend shows that she likes children and maybe even persuaded you to have a pet, then you know that her mother's instincts are active. For your children, this means that if you marry her, they will have a nice mother and a happy and healthy family. Look at her reaction when you start talking about children, she may feel afraid, but never disgusted.
In addition to supporting and encouraging you to pursue your own goals and dreams, she will have her own as well. A mature woman has a vision for her future and chases after it with voracity. A mature woman will be someone you can take on the world with. She will be your partner in crime, a teammate in your relationship, and life.
Being consistent is a valuable virtue because it lets your partner know that you are who you are. You haven't sent your "representative" to get to know them during the first couple of months of dating, but then suddenly transform once they've committed themselves to you. Consistency is the opposite of volatility. If someone is unpredictable and volatile, it’s difficult to know how they will be acting towards you on a certain day, and that gets old no matter how aesthetically pleasing she is.
Marriage
The minimum age requirement to legally marry in Croatia is 18. Civil ceremonies may take place almost anywhere, as long as the local Registry Office approves the location.
The older generation of Croatians tends to hold the conservative belief that one should be married before starting a family. Moreover, it is relatively rare for children to be born out of wedlock. If a female becomes pregnant before marriage, it is expected that she will get married before the child's birth. It is common for the male to ask the father of the bride if he can marry his daughter. This is to show proper respect for her family. In rural areas, it is more common for people to marry at a younger age, roughly in their early twenties. Those from urban areas will often marry in their late twenties to early thirties.
There are two options for getting married in Croatia depending on your personal preference:
- Civil marriage
- Marriage within the faith (“faith” usually meaning Catholicism, but all faiths are recognized)
For the civil marriage, the first step is to visit the Registrar’s Office closest to your registered address in Croatia between 45 and 30 days in advance of your intended wedding date. You will need to declare your intention to be wed. Both future spouses will need to be present. At this time, the administrator will inform you if there are any impediments to your desired date, location and last name.
Each of you will need to provide the Registrar with specific documents before you can be issued a marriage license. Your intended future Croatian spouse will need to submit:
- A document that proves their identity
- A document that proves their citizenship
You, if you are non-Croatian, will need to submit:
- An apostilled original of your birth certificate issued in the country of your birth following international treaties and conventions and that is notarized and translated into Croatian
- A certificate of free marital status following international treaties and conventions and translation into Croatian. (You should turn to the embassy of your country of origin for this, as requirements may vary from country to country.)
- A certificate there are no obstacles to the marriage in the Republic of Croatia, and that the marriage will be recognized in the country of your origin, translated into Croatian. (Usually the certificate that you are not already married in the country of your origin satisfies this requirement as well.)
- A document that proves your identity
- A document that proves your citizenship
You'll also need to provide:
- Copies of the passports for your witnesses
- Payment of the marriage license fee (approximately 210 kunas at the time of this post). This fee covers the compilation of the minutes of the marriage application and the act of marrying before the magistrate.
- If you do not speak Croatia, you will need to bring an official court translator with you to the Registrar.
Couples who want to marry within faith will also have to visit the Registrar’s Office. The same documents required for civil marriages will need to be submitted, but the fee system is somewhat different. The compilation of minutes will cost 70 kn of state stamps (or “državni biljezi” in Croatian). Additionally, 20 kn of state stamps are due for issuance of a confirmation that you fulfill the preconditions for marriage. The fulfillment of religious marriage preconditions (e.g. “marriage license”) is valid for three months from the date of issue.
For church marriages, you will also need to sit down with the representative of the religious community that you belong to. The procedures required by your church may vary as well. For example, some priests may insist that the bride and groom undergo an engagement course before marriage. A religious marriage ceremony can only be performed by a religious community official who has regulated legal relations with the Republic of Croatia. Once you are married, it is the duty of the official who performed the ceremony to send your marriage certificate to the appropriate Registrar’s Office.
Wedding
A Croatian wedding is a 24-hour party that is filled with good traditional food, celebratory drinks, and laughter.
Instead of a diamond ring, the man offers an obiljezje, which is a piece of fruit such as an apple with coins pressed into it. The acceptance of the fruit by the lady symbolizes their engagement. This is a very old Croatian wedding tradition that is not seen in other countries.
On the wedding day, the groom first heads to his bride’s parents’ house together with an ensemble of musicians or other groomsmen to woo the bride. This is one of the most amusing Croatian wedding customs where decoy brides are often offered up. Everyone then heads to the church for the ceremony as one person carries the Croatian flag. Flag carriers are called the barjaktar and they wave the flag around for the entire procession, whooping and shouting as they go. As guests enter the wedding reception, they are given little bundles of rosemary wrapped in the ribbon which is pinned to their left side as a sign of welcome. Guests normally leave a donation in exchange for their rosemary pins.
The wedding ceremony is usually catholic but many couples today decide to confirm their love in different wedding venues. A professional photographer takes a bunch of photos in front of the church.
Another Croatian wedding tradition is the dance with the bride which usually starts at midnight. The guests have a chance to dance with the bride, in exchange for money.
After the wedding ceremony, it’s time to head to the wedding venue, to eat, drink and be merry until the morning.
After a day and night of drinking, guests are served either goulash or sarma (rolled cabbage stuffed with mince and rice), and in some areas fish stews plus coffee. During one part of the evening, guests bring their presents to the couple and in almost every case, money is the gift presented in an envelope.
Family Life
Croatians place a high value on family and it is the basis of the country's social structure. Traditionally, the Croatian household was comprised of grandparents, parents and two or more children. While it is not rare to find a household of this makeup today, it is becoming increasingly common for nuclear families to have their own home.
Often, adult children live with their parents until they are married or can financially support themselves. This generally depends on where one lives in Croatia. Some children will temporarily move out for their education and will return to the family home after completing their studies. There is also an increasing number of other types of households emerging in contemporary society, including those of single adults and childless couples. Regardless of where one lives, Croatians try to maintain strong ties with their family.
Honour is an important principle in Croatian culture and is closely related to family values. Making personal sacrifices to benefit one's family is highly regarded. One example is the large value placed on spending time with family members, with the common perception being that weekends are to be reserved for 'family time' and business is expected to not interfere with family affairs. Another example is the reverence afforded to the elders of a family or community.
Among Croatians, there is a general expectation that the elderly receive a high level of respect and are taken care of by their family members. The oldest in the family is often seen as a knowledgeable source of information on culture, traditions and history and thus should be honored. Children are expected to consult their parents on life choices that may affect the economic status of the family, such as education.
Traditionally, Croatia was a patriarchal society. This translated into a household hierarchy in which the oldest patriarch (such as the father or grandfather) had the dominant role in the family. However, during communist rule over Croatia, women were encouraged to join the workforce. This has left a legacy of women experiencing a fairly equal status with men in terms of labor.
Expectations for women to fulfill more traditional gender-stereotypical roles such as cooking, cleaning and child-rearing persist alongside other commitments such as pursuing higher education or partaking in paid labor. Nonetheless, many men share some of the household duties and are active in the child-rearing process. Moreover, when it comes to decision-making, both the wife and husband will deliberate together.
See Also
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