IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS)

Volume 23, Issue 3, Ver. 6 (March. 2018) PP 25-44

e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845.
www.iosrjournals.org

Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in

India

KanakYadav, Rakhee
Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, India

Abstract: The objective of the present research was to explore the attitudes of young adults towards Marriage.
The data was collected through online survey where total 78 males and 123 females from 18-32 years
participated. The participants responded to a 25 item survey questionnaire developed by Shivalli,
Chitagubbi&Devendrappa (2012) which was adapted and modified as per the need of the research. Results
indicated that the attitudes of young adults on marriage are changing with times. Female participants were found
to be equally accepting of their responsibility in marital life and they view themselves as equal to males with
respect to roles defined by the society. Results also indicate mutual compatibility as an important domain for the
success of marriage in life. Present youth believes that it is not only the responsibility of wife to take care of
household chores and husband‟s responsibility to manage the finances of the family. Participants stated that
successful career is more important that successful Marriage, majority agrees that wife should not bear the
authority of dominance of husband in marital life. The results also indicated that the view towards practice of
dowry is changing as majority of the research participants agree that wife should not carry dowry at the time of
marriage. Majority of the participants viewed the status and responsibility of both males and females as an
important determinant of successful marriage. Gender differences in the opinion of various aspects of partner
preferences with respect to sexual relationship, type of marriage, criteria for choosing life partner and specific
motives for successful marriage were also recorded and analyzed accordingly.

Keywords: Attitudes, Gender, Marriage, Partner, Relationship, Responsibility, Young Adults

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Date of Submission: 06-03-2018 Date of acceptance: 23-03-2018
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I. INTRODUCTION
Marriage is the process by which two people make their relationship public, official, and permanent.
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a socially or ritually recognized union between spouses that
establishes rights and obligations between them and affinity. The definition of marriage varies around the world
not only between cultures and between religions, but also throughout the history of any given culture and
religion, evolving to both expand and constrict in who and what is encompassed, but typically it is principally an
institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually sexual, are acknowledged or sanctioned. Over the course
of a relationship that can last as many as seven or eight decades, a lot happens. Personalities change, bodies age,
and romantic love waxes and wanes. And no marriage is free of conflict. Marriage in India vary regionally, the
religion and per personal preferences of the bride and groom. They are festive occasions in India, and in most
cases celebrated with extensive decorations, colors, music, dance, costumes and rituals that depend on the
religion of the bride and the groom, as well as their preferences.
An individual‟s life is transformed through Marriage; they are perceived and treated differently by
society and enjoy rights that unmarried individuals do not. Married couples are perceived as more mature,
stable, committed and responsible regardless of an individual‟s opinion or value on marriage. Attitudes and
expectations about marriage are important cognition regarding perceptions and behaviors in relationships.
Attitudes and decisions about relationships are important because the choice to engage in long-term
relationships has consequences for person‟s happiness, life-satisfaction, health, and psychological well-being.
Marriage is a central familial process in India. For years Indian had an orthodox mindset; there
conception was that marriage is possible only within the caste and community in which individual belong.
Those who violated the social norm faced many consequences in terms of violence, family boycott, social
exclusion and death by honor killing. Arranged marriages are considered the best way to get a boy and a girl to
tie the marital knot. Indian parents are the ones who take utmost interest in it, right from the girl or boy they
want their child to get married to, till the date and time of marriage. This is so because there prevails this
thinking that they are a lot wiser and experienced than their children, and will decide the best for them. Indians

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

consider marriage as an auspicious culmination of two souls, that they decide every ritual of marriage according
to the astrological positioning of the stars of the bride and the groom.
Modernization, development and increase in educational levels weaken various myths, taboos on caste
and religion. With opportunities for cultural exchanges, travel, work and study through migration increases
contacts with different ethnic groups. In India, a religious matrimonial ceremony is considered a legal marriage
but now registration of marriage is necessary in most of the Indian states. There are different rules and
regulations for different religions written in Marriage Acts of Hinduism, Islam, Christian and others. According
to Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, a girl in India cannot marry before the age of 18, and a boy before 21.

II. RELATED LITERATURE

In 2013, Bhavana&Roopa researched to assess and compare the attitude of youth towards marriage and
changing trends in marriage. The sample consisted of 300 youths, of which 150 were males and 150 were
females between the age ranges from 18 to 23 years who were studying in bachelor of degree courses. The
questionnaire was developed by the investigator on the different aspects of marriage and recent trends in
marriage. The analysis was carried out for different variables applying t-test and chi-square test. The findings
revealed that majority of youth had moderate and favorable attitude towards marriage. Male respondents showed
moderate attitude level towards marriage compared to female respondents. Some of the male and female
respondents showed unfavorable attitude towards marriage and changing trends in marriage. There is no
significant difference found between male and female respondent‟s attitude towards the concept of marriage,
social expectation and changing trends in marriage whereas, there is a significant difference found between the
male and female respondents with regard to sexual relationship, type of marriage, criteria for choosing life
partner and specific motives for successful marriage.
Similarly, Shivalli, Chitagubbi&Devenrappa (2012) studied the perception of values of unmarried
college going boys and girls towards various aspects of marriage. The study was conducted in Karnataka state
during 2009. The study comprised of randomly selected thirty students studying in Rural Home Science College
and Agriculture College of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. A structured questionnaire on three
point value rating scale with 42 statements was used to elicit the information. It was found that the perception of
values in general towards marriage has not changed much among the present college youths. They are still in
agreement with the conventional values. Youth were of the strong feeling that in present days it is also a duty of
wife to support her husband economically. Another interesting point to note was that the present youth felt that
marriage does not curb the personal freedom.
Other researchers such as Riggio& Weiser (2008) examined marriage attitudes, attitude embeddedness,
personal relationship outcomes, and parental marital status and conflict using 400 undergraduate students. In a
conceptual replication of Prislin and Ouellette (1996), more embedded marriage attitudes are more predictive of
evaluations of general marriage issues and relationship scenarios than less embedded attitudes. Consistent with
findings that marriage attitudes influence relationship quality (Amato& Rogers, 1999), more embedded attitudes
predict relationship conflict, commitment, desirability of alternatives, and expectations of relationship success.
Recollections of high parental conflict are associated with greater relationship conflict, and individuals with
divorced parents report more negative marriage attitudes. In a study Christensen (2014) explored the important
relationship between marital attitudes and intentions, and the early childhood experiences of young adults.
Results suggested that parental conflict is a better predictor of intentions and attitudes toward marriage than
either gender or parental divorce. High to moderate levels of parental conflict were more strongly associated
with increased fears and doubts about marriage and lowered intent to marry and high parental conflict was more
strongly linked to holding more negative attitudes toward marriage in young adults. Results indicated that men
are more likely to hold more negative attitudes toward marriage than women.
In one of their study, Chaturvedi& Singh (2015) carried out to investigate into the attitude Indian youth
toward marriage and family relations. The study was conducted on 240 subjects including 140 males and 100
females. The age range varied from 18 to 32 years. Altogether 12 items from social change attitude scale
(Rekha, 1996) were used to measure the attitude of the subjects toward marriage and family relations. The data
were analyzed with the help of suitable statistics. The findings of the study revealed a positive change in the
attitudes among the youth in terms of decision making at home, sharing of household work by both partners,
acceptance of wife‟s decisions by husband, need for economic independence of wife and obsolescence of
purdah system. Positive attitudes towards the female child and significance of Parents consent in marriage are
indicated. Sexual satisfaction is still seen as the primary aim of marriage in significantly larger number of males
than females.
In 2012, Nicole Margaret Kay studied contemporary attitudes on marriage among young adults. This
study explored young single adult attitudes about marriage, and group differences in these attitudes. A quota
sample (n=700) of 18- 35 year-old young adults was studied to understand young adults perceptions of marriage
today. Cluster analysis was then performed to analyze group differences. The young adults in this sample

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

formed into 4 distinctive marital attitude groups: the Religious Ready, Religious Realists, Loving the Single
Life/Marital Pessimists, and Secular Romantics. The formation of these attitude groups illustrates the broad
variation within young adults in beliefs about marriage, especially in the dimensions of religious views of
marriage, and readiness for marriage. An interesting paradox in the literature about marriage is that despite the
substantial changes to marriage over the last half century, young adults remain committed to the ideal of
marriage.
In another finding, Sussane& Miller (2011) found that the majority of young married Americans lived
with their spouses before the wedding, and many cohabited with partners they did not wed. Yet little is known
about how cohabitating relationships progress or the role gender norms play in this process. They explored how
cohabiting partners negotiate relationship progression, focusing on several stages where couples enact gender.
Data are from in-depth interviews with 30 working-class couples (n = 60). The women in this sample often
challenged conventional gender norms by suggesting that couples move in together or raising the issue of
marriage. Men played dominant roles in initiating whether couples became romantically involved and
progressed to a more formal status. Although women and men contest how gender is performed, cohabiting men
remain privileged in the arena of relationship progression. The findings suggest that adherence to conventional
gender practices even among those residing in informal unions perpetuates women‟s secondary position in
intimate relationship.

III. RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

Marriage is the social institution of binding of two individuals for the family. It is the relationship that
gives couple social, cultural and religious acceptance in Indian culture. Marriage is essential for the procreation
process of the family. Arrange marriages have a great significance in Indian society whereas inter-caste or
religious marriages are discouraged openly. With rise in modernization and educational levels in present
scenario perspectives towards marriage changed with time. Individual wellbeing is dependent on the success of
relationships in his/her life. Marriage is the main relationship that is commonly viewed as a lifelong bond.
Changes in social scenarios, more advancement in technology influenced the attitudinal change among
all age groups. Parents have become more accepting of children‟s decision. Young adults are given necessary
right for their life and the way they want to live but with recent social network exposure and more social
engagement, increase in romantic relationships has a significant effect on them. More breakups and more
exposure to unwanted portrayals lead to increase in expectation rates about relationships. Studying Young
Adults age group would be helpful in providing resourceful data about attitudes on marriage and related
concerns.
The objective of the present study is to analyze the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage.
Young Adults population in the study included college going unmarried students.Marriage perceptions and
attitudes of young adults are necessary to understand in order to explore the changing views about marriage
among young men and women in the society.

IV. METHOD
Participants
The sample for the research was selected through simple random sampling technique. The participants
for the research belonged to various parts of the India namely Delhi, NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Chandigarh,
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Karnataka,
Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Manipur. Total sample size in the study was 201 young adults of
which 123 (64.6%) were females and 78 (35.4%) were males belonging to the age group of 18 to 32 years.
Mostly were colleges going students studying in undergraduate, post graduate courses in various Indian
universities. Out of the total sample 21.4% were involved in dating relationships. Majority of participants
belonged to Nuclear family system.

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Figure 1. Depicting Gender Composition of the Research

Figure 2 Depicting Relationship status of the Participants

Figure 3.Depicting Family Structure of the Participants

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Figure 4.Depicting Educational level of the Participants

Tool
Survey method was used for the collection of data in the present study. Surveys are used extensively in
the behavioral sciences as relatively efficient ways to gather large amounts of information. The goal of the
survey research design is to obtain an accurate picture of the individuals being studied. The survey provides a
“snapshot” of the group at a particular time (Gravetter&Forzano, 2012).
In the present study, survey questionnaire was adapted from a research paper on Perception of values of
present college youth towards marriage developed by RajeshwariShivalli, GeetaChitagubbi and S Devendrappa
(2012) and modified according to our research requirements. Online informed consent was taken from
participants emphasizing anonymity and confidentiality of their responses. The demographic Profile was added
to get the information such as name of the participant, present age, gender, relationship status, family structure,
education and residing place. Total 25 items were finalized for the survey questionnaire. The survey was
designed to be completed in seven-minutes or less. Responses were recorded from 0ctober 2017 to November
2017.

Scoring
Datawas analyzed by counting the frequency for the responses given by male and female participants on
survey items.The responses given by the participants were further recorded and analyzed. The results were then
recorded and arranged into tables and Bar graphs.

V. RESULT
Table 1.Responses of young males and females to question 1: Marriage should be decided by elders.
Response Males Females
Yes 21.80% 13.82%
No 26.92% 26.02%
Depends on the situation 51.28% 60.16%

Graph 1: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 1

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Table 2.Responses of young males and females to question 2: Marriage should involve match makes of
matrimonial bureau
Response Males Females
Yes 21.80% 17.07%
No 78.20% 82.93%

Graph 2: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 2

Table 3. Responses of young males and females to question 3 :Parents should take the consent of their
children for marriage.
Response Males Females
Yes 87.18% 87.81%
No 6.41% 3.25%
Not Sure 6.41% 8.94%

Graph 3: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 3

Table 4.Responses of young males and females to question 4: Marriage is a personal affair of husband and
wife and others should not interfere
Response Males Females
Yes 34.18% 29.27%
No 20.25% 13.1%
Depends on the situation 45.57% 57.72%

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Graph 4: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 4

Table 5.Responses of young males and females to question 5: Marriage is for social status.
Response Males Females
Yes 20.51% 29.27%
No 79.49% 70.73%

Graph 5: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 5

Table 6.Responses of young males and females to question 6 :In selecting a marriage partner economic
status of the family must be counted.
Response Males Females
Yes 29.49% 58.54%
No 70.51% 41.46%

Graph 6: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 6
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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Table 7.Responses of young males and females to question 7 :Marriage is an economic security for girl.
Response Males Females
Yes 21.80% 18.69%
No 78.20% 81.31%

Graph 7: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question

Table 8.Responses of young males and females to question 8 :Only husband should handle family finance as
he is responsible for care of family.
Response Males Females
Yes 20.51% 20.33%
No 79.49% 79.67%

Graph 8: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 8

Table 9.Responses of young males and females to question 9 :Successful marriage is based on wife's
sacrifice.
Response Males Females
Yes 7.69% 11.38%
No 42.31% 51.22%
Sometimes 50.00% 37.40%

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Graph 9: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 9

Table 10.Responses of young males and females to question 10 :A good marriage is based on mutual
adjustment of the partners.
Response Males Females
Yes 97.43% 97.56%
No 2.57% 2.44%

Graph 10: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 10

Table 11.Responses of young males and females to question 11: Sex in marriage strengthens the love
bondage between husband and wife
Response Males Females
Yes 74.36% 67.48%
No 25.64% 32.52%

Graph 11: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 11

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Table 12.Responses of young males and females to question 12: Inter Caste Marriage breaks away the caste
system.
Response Males Females
Yes 73.07% 64.04%
No 26.92% 34.95%

Graph 12: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 12

Table 13.Responses of young males and females to question 13: differences in tradition and customs make it
difficult for the couple to adjust.
Response Males Females
Yes 62.82% 56.10%
No 37.18% 43.9%

Graph 13: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 13

Table 14.Responses of young males and females to question 14 :If you have favorable opinion for Inter Caste
Marriage then you would prefer.
Response Males Females
A higher caste boy marrying a low 4.88%
10.26%
caste girl
A lower caste boy marrying a higher 0.81%
0%
caste girl
Both boy's and girl's caste of similar 13.01%
19.23%
levels
No caste preference 70.51% 81.30%

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Graph 14: Depicting percentage response of young males and femalesresponse to Question 14

Table 15.Responses of young males and females to question 15: One should not hesitate to break the
marriage if necessary even though society objects.
Response Males Females
Yes 65.37% 84.55%
No 47.43% 15.45%

Graph 15: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 15

Table 16.Responses of young males and females to question 16: Wife should carry dowry for her husband at
the time of marriage.
Response Males Females
Yes 10.13% 6.50%
No 93.59% 93.50%

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Graph 16: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 16

Table 17.Responses of young males and females to question 17: A wife should silently bear all sorts of
authorities of her husband and maintain marriage.
Response Males Females
Yes 17.95% 8.94%
No 82.05% 91.06%

Graph 17: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 17

Table 18.Responses of young males and females to question 18:Living together before marriage is essential.
Response Males Females
Yes 24.36% 44.72%
No 75.64% 55.28%

Graph 18: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 18

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Table 19.Responses of young males and females to question 19: Inter caste marriage lessens the problem of
dowry.
Response Males Females
Yes 35.90% 42.28%
No 64.10% 57.72%

Graph 19: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 19

Table 20.Responses of young males and females to question 20 :To what extent will it trouble you to give up
your personal freedom if you marry.
Response Males Females
Not at all 26.92% 12.19%
Very Little 25.64% 11.38%
To some extent 34.62% 47.15%
Very Much 12.82% 29.27%

Graph 20: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 20

Table 21.Responses of young males and females to question 21: Adjustment to married life be difficult for
you.
Response Males Females
Not at all 25.64% 11.38%
Very Little 29.49% 21.14%
To some extent 34.61% 56.91%
Very Much 10.26% 10.57%

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Graph 21: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 21

Table 22.Responses of young males and females to question 22: Do you ever have doubts as to whether you
would enjoy living exclusively in marriage with a member of the opposite sex
Response Males Females
Never 57.70% 39.84%
Hardly 20.51% 25.20%
Occasionally 12.82% 26.02%
Frequently 8.97% 8.94%

Graph 22: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 22

Table 23.Responses of young males and females to question 23:To what extent would the responsibilities of
married life be enjoyable.
Males Females
Not at all 5.13% 8.13%
Not too Much 10.26% 17.07%
Fairly Enjoyable 55.13% 56.91%
Very Much 29.49% 17.89%

Graph 23: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 23
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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Table 24.Responses of young males and females to question 24: Marriage helps individual mature.
Response Males Females
Strongly Agree 8.97% 13.82 %
Agree 65.38% 52.03%
Undecided 16.67% 25.20 %
Disagree 3.85% 4.88%
Strongly Disagree 6.41% 4.06%

Graph 24: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 24

Table 25.Responses of young males and females to question 25: A successful marriage should be more
important than a successful career.
Response Males Females
Strongly Agree 14.02% 8.13%
Agree 24.36% 14.63%
Undecided 23.08% 27.64%
Disagree 29.49% 33.33%
Strongly Disagree 8.97% 16.26%

Graph 25: Depicting percentage response of young males and females response to Question 25

IV. DISCUSSION
The objective of the Present research was to explore the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage.
Young Adults population in the study included unmarried young students. Marriage perceptions and attitudes of
young adults are necessary to explore as they will sooner be in the category of married individuals. For the
present study, the age of the participants ranged between 18-32 years. Data was collected through online survey
where total 78 males and 123 females participated. Total 25 questions were finalized for the survey

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

questionnaire. Some survey questions were adapted and modified from the research on „Perception of values of
present college youth towards marriage‟ by Shivalli, Chitagubbi&Devendrappa (2012).
It was found in results that 21.80%of Male participant‟s view that marriage should be decided by the
elders whereas 26.92%view that it should not be decided by them and 51.28% views that it is dependent on the
situation. 13.82% Females view marriage should be decided by elders whereas 26.02% views that it should not
be decided by elders and 60.16% views that it is dependent on the situation. Majority of both young adult males
and females views that it depends on the situation when can marriage be decided by elders. Shivalli,
Chitagubbi&Devendrappa (2012) study shows that present youth wants that parents should not independently
arrange the marriages of their spouses rather give equal opportunity to the latter in the selection process. Most
marriages are arranged by parents or relatives, even in the educated class. Children are expected to accept their
parents decision with respect to marriage unconditionally; extra-marital relationships, separations, and
remarriage have been looked down upon. For most people in India, marriage is a one-time event in life, which is
sanctified and glorified with much social approval (Sharma et al, 2013).
In the question that marriage should involve match makes of matrimonial bureau, it was found that
21.80% males view that marriage should involve match makes in matrimonial bureau and 78.20% views against
it. Among females 17.07% views that marriage should involve match makes in matrimonial bureau and 82.93%
views against it. Both young adult males and females majorly are not accepting that marriage should involve
match makes in matrimonial bureau. Triveni (2011) explains that traditionally family members used to bring
matches but now people are worried that if the boy or the girl turns out to be defective, then they will be blamed.
These days‟ families would rather not interfere so the best option is really a marriage broker or matrimonial
bureaus.
When asked whether parents should take the consent of their children for marriage 87.18% of male
participants view that consent should be taken, 6.41% do not view that consent should be taken and 6.41% are
not sure on this question. 87.81% females views that consent should be taken, 3.25% are of the view that
consent should not be taken and 8.94% are not sure on this aspect of marriage. Among both genders majority
views that it is essential for parents to take consent from children for marriage. Most researches explain
importance of parental consent for marriage only.
Among male participants 34.18% views that marriage is a personal affair of husband and wife and
other should not interfere, 20.25% views opposite to this and 45.57% views that it depends on the situation.
29.27% females views that marriage is a personal affair of husband and wife and other should not interfere,
13.10% views opposite to it and 57.72% views that it depends on the situation when can others interfere on the
personal affair of husband and wife. Among young adults majority views that it is dependent on the situation
when should others interfere in the personal affair of husband and wife. On this a Lucknow based psychologist,
DrKanchanMisra (2016) explains that the couple feel smothered or controlled. Even though family members
they think they are demonstrating their love, they are not allowing the couple enough breathing space. Some in-
laws have difficulty letting go of their parental roles and offer unwanted advice.
When asked whether marriage is for social status 20.51% Males view that and 79.49% view that
marriage is not for social status. 29.27% females view that marriage is for social status and 70.73% do not view
marriage for social status. Majority of young adults are against that marriage is not for social status.Hatfield and
Rapson (1996) in their cross-cultural perspective of love and sex found that women value more than men,
marriage partners who possess status, who had good financial prospects, and who are ambitious and industrious.
When asked from the participants about selection a marriage partner on the basis of economic status of
the family 29.49% of males view that economic status of the family is considerable for marriage and 70.51%
view that economic status must not be counted. 58.54% of females view that economic status should be counted
for marriage and 41.46% view that economic status should not be counted in marriage. Among young adults
females view more on economic status should be counted but males view that economic status is not
considerable for marriage. In the study Maliki (2011) found that among university undergraduates socio-
economic status significantly influence preferences in marriage partner‟s selection in terms of personality traits,
socio-economic status and physical attractiveness. It is recommended among others that undergraduates should
not choose marriage partners that are committed to money and pleasure alone but to loving attitude which is the
most basic characteristic that every individual should possess.
Among total male participants 21.80% view that marriage is an economic security for girl and 78.20%
view that marriage is not an economic security for girl. 18.69% females view that marriage is for economic
security for girl and 81.31% view that marriage is not an economic security for girl. Among young adults
majority believe that marriage is not an economic security for girl. Shivalli, Chitagubbi&Devendrappa (2012)
found that youth were of the strong feeling that in present days it is also a duty of wife to support her husband
economically, which is similar to the present research results.
In the question that only husband should handle family finance as he is responsible for care of family
on this, 20.51% male participants agreed to this while 79.49% views that only husband should not handle

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

finance of family. 20.33% female participants view that husband should handle family finance while other
79.67% view that it is not only responsibility of the husband. Among young adults majority believes that it is
not only responsibility of husband to handle family finance. Singh and Bhandari (2012) explains in their study
that the focus has moved to charting the more individualistic management and control of money in intimate
relationships, particularly among younger and more affluent couples that confirms the result of the present
study.
From the total male participants 7.69% view that Successful marriage is based on wife's sacrifice,
42.31% views that it is not only based on wife‟s sacrifice whereas other 50% views it is sometimes that it is
dependent on wife‟s sacrifice. 11.38% female participants view that it is dependent on wife‟s sacrifice, 51.22%
views it is not dependent on it while 37.40 views it is dependent on wife‟s sacrifice. Among young adults
majority of males believe that it is dependent sometimes while majority females view it is not dependent on
wife‟s sacrifice. The primary duty of the woman is to be subservient and loyal to the husband & his relatives and
her children. After marriage, husband and relatives control all outside relationships. (Sharma et al, 2013)
A good marriage is based on mutual adjustment of the partners on this question 97.43% males
participant agreed whereas 2.57% view that mutual adjustment is necessary for good marriage. 97.56% females
participant view that mutual adjustment is necessary and 2.44% views that mutual adjustment is not essential.
Among young adults majority believe that for a good marriage mutual adjustment is essential. The couples that
are happy have met the problems; their marriages are successful because they have accepted the task of
adjusting to each other‟s viewpoint even if they are able to be with each for short period. They have arrived at
the working arrangements (Paul, 2017).
Among all male participants 74.36% view that sex in marriage strengthens the love bondage between
husband and wife whereas other 25.64% views that it is not essential. 67.48% female participant views that sex
strengthens bondage between husband and wife whereas 32.52% view it do not strengthen bondage. Among
young adults majority believes that sex strengthens the love bondage between husband and wife.According to
Singer (2015), Men often choose a woman based upon the sex or the prospect of it, and end up falling in love;
while women generally choose a man based upon the love they feel, and end up enjoying sex. Men tend to focus
on sex. Women tend to focus on love. Hence, sex is important to strengthen love bondage between couples.
When asked whether Inter Caste Marriage breaks away the caste system on this 73.07% males view
that it breaks whereas 26.92% view that inter caste marriage do not break away caste system. 64.04% female
participant views that inter caste marriage breaks away the caste system and 34.95% view it does not break.
Among young adults majority believes that inter caste marriage breaks away the caste system.When two people
of different faiths get married, their thoughts and perspectives change. Acceptance level increases and you
become more tolerant towards people of other cultures (Kumar, 2017). When acceptance increases caste system
automatically breaks.
From the total male participants 62.82% views that differences in tradition and customs make it
difficult for the couple to adjust whereas 37.18% views that differences do not make adjustment problematic.
56.10% females view that differences make adjustment difficult whereas 43.9% views that it does not. Among
young adults majority believes that differences in tradition and customs make it difficult for the couple to adjust.
A study by Issac and Shah (2004) reported a positive link between androgyny and marital adjustment, and a
trend for couples to move toward gender-neutral dyads.
Male participants 10.26% views that for inter caste marriage preference a higher caste boy should
marry a low caste girl, 0% views that a lower caste boy should marry higher caste girl, 19.23% views that both
boy and girl‟s caste should be of similar level and 70.51% do not have any caste preference. 4.88% female
participants views that for inter caste marriage preference a higher caste boy should marry a low caste girl,
0.81% views that a lower caste boy should marry higher caste girl, 13.01% views that both boy and girl‟s caste
should be of similar level and 81.30% do not have any caste preference. Among young adults majority do not
have any caste preference for inter caste marriage. Study on inter-caste marriage (Reddy et.al, 1984) shows that
the scheduled caste has exhibited the highest tendency for inter-caste marriages than the other castes. The urban
residence, education, employment in modern occupation and middle class economic background have tended to
be a set of attributes needed for incidence of inter caste marriages. Gage and Hancock (2002) in their study of
college students revealed that students of middle class as well as the higher class primarily choose those who are
of their own socio-economic status to date or marry.
When questioned that one should not hesitate to break the marriage if necessary even though society
objects on this 65.37% males agree whereas other 47.43% views that one should hesitate to break the marriage.
84.55% female participant views that one should not hesitate whereas 15.45% views one should hesitate before
breaking the marriage. Among young adults majority accepts that one should not hesitate to break the marriage
if necessary even though society objects. On this aspect the Supreme Court held that a spouse can seek divorce
if he or she is subjected to mental agony and cruelty due to constant nagging by his or her partner. (Nambi,2005)

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

Among male participants 10.13% view that wife should carry dowry for her husband at the time of
marriage and other 93.59% views that it is not required carrying dowry. 6.50% females view that it is essential
for wife to carry dowry and 93.50% are against it. Among young adults majority are against that wife should not
carry dowry for her husband at the time of marriage. Dowry has turned into a widespread social evil.
Surprisingly, it has spread to other communities, which were traditionally non-dowry receiving communities.
Demand for dowry has resulted in cruelty, domestic violence, and death by homicide or suicide. (Sharma et al,
2013)When asked about whether a wife should silently bear all sorts of authorities of her husband and maintain
marriage for this 17.95% male responded yes while other 82.05% responded that wife should not bear all sort of
authority from husband. 8.94% female participants responded that she should bear all sorts of authority to
maintain marriage while other 91.06% are not agreeing to this. Among young adults majority of them views that
a wife should not bear authority of her husband to maintain marriage. Lamato (2016) points that a married
woman should only leave her in-laws‟ house when she is taken for her final rites, this perception has led to
domestic violence, abuse from husband and in laws.
From total Male participants 24.36% views that living together before marriage is essential while other
75.64% views that it is not essential to live before marriage. 44.72% female participants view that living before
marriage is essential while other 55.28% views that it is not essential to live before marriage. Among young
adults majority believes that living before marriage is not essential. According to Brett &Mckay (2017), the
most common reason couples decide to live together before marriage is to test their compatibility. 2/3rd of young
adults believe that living together prior marriage is effective way to prevent divorce and ensure happy union. In
India if an unmarried couple is living together as husband and wife, then they would be presumed to be legally
married and the woman would be eligible to inherit the property after death of her partner, the Supreme Court
has ruled (Choudhary, 2015).In the question 35.90% of male participants view that inter caste marriage lessens
the problem of dowry and 64.10% view that it does not. 42.28% of total female participants view that inter caste
marriage lessens the problem of dowry and 57.72% view that it has no effect in lessening the problem of dowry.
Among all young adult participants majority believes that inter caste marriage does not play any role in
lessening the problem of dowry. In the previous research by Garg (2015), it was found that the heavy dowry
demanded by grooms, modern education, and the exorbitant bride price have encouraged the practice of inter-
caste marriages.
When asked to what extent personal freedom would trouble if got married 26.62% of males view that it
creates no trouble for them to give up their personal freedom if they get married but 25.64% males view that it
can be a little troublesome for them, 34.62% view that it can be troublesome for them to some extent and
12.82% view that it will cause them very much trouble to give their personal freedom if they get married. On the
other hand 12.19% of females view that it has no trouble for them to give up their personal freedom if they get
married but 11.38% females view that it can create a little problem for them, 47.15% view that it can be
troublesome for them to some extent and 29.27% view that it will create very much trouble for them to give up
their personal freedom if they get married. Among all young adult participants majority believes that it can be
troublesome to some extent and for some it can be of very little importance but also some adults feel it to be of
very much trouble. It was found that young adults felt that marriage does not curb the personal freedom from
previous research done by Shivalli, Chitagubbi&Devendrappa( 2012).
Adjustment to married life is difficult on this25.64% malesview that it is not at all difficult for them to
adjust in married life, 29.49% view that it is of minor difficulty, 34.61% find it difficult to some extent to adjust
to married life and 10.26% view that it is very difficult to adjust to married life. On the other side 11.38%
females find it of no difficulty to adjust to married life, 21.14% females view it to a bit difficult, 56.91% find it
difficult to some extent and 10.57% view it to be very difficult to adjust to married life. Among all young adult
participants majority believes that it can be difficult to some extent to adjust to married life. But in the previous
researches it was found that the marital adjustment of couples decreased with their transition to parenthood, for
launching couples, and for empty nest couples, while it steadily increased for couples during other stages of the
family life cycle. Marital adjustment depends on how well couples understand and cooperate with each other
despite their differing personalities. (Manyam, 2014)When questioned about participants doubt whether he/she
would enjoy living exclusively in marriage with a member of the opposite sex. 57.70% male participants do not
have any doubts whether they enjoy living exclusively with the member of opposite sex, 20.51% hardly have
any doubts on enjoying living exclusively in marriage with opposite sex, 12.82% view that they have doubt
occasionally and 8.97% view that they have frequent doubts whether they would enjoy living with opposite sex.
39.84% female participants do not have any doubts whether they enjoy living exclusively with the member of
opposite sex, 25.20% hardly have any doubts on enjoying living exclusively in marriage with opposite sex,
26.02% view that they have doubt occasionally and 8.94% view that they have frequent doubts whether they
would enjoy living with opposite sex. Among both young adult males and females majority do not have any
doubt whether they would be able to enjoy living in marriage with member of opposite sex. Cohabitation
appears to be an arena where normative gender roles can be contested. Women often instigate relationship

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

progression, by suggesting couples move into shared living arrangements or raising talk of marriage.
Nonetheless, men continue to play dominant roles in both initiating whether couples become romantically
involved and in formalizing these unions via proposing, largely because of hegemonic norms regarding male
prerogatives (Sassler& Miller, 2011).
In the question, responsibilities of married life are enjoyable 5.13% of males view that responsibilities
of married life will not be enjoyable to them at all, 10.26% of males view that they will not enjoy too much,
55.13% view that responsibilities of married life will be fairly enjoyable to them and 29.49% view that they will
enjoy them too much. While 8.13% of females find responsibilities of married life not at all enjoyable, 17.07%
view them as not too much enjoying, 59.91% females find it fairly enjoyable and 17.89% females view that they
will enjoy responsibilities of married life to a great extent. Among all young adult participants majority believes
that responsibilities of married life will be fairly enjoyable to them. Bahuguna (2015) explains that Indian
families over-involve themselves and end up ruining their children‟s marriages. Our parents and relatives need
to understand that it is impossible that they will be pleased by every decision the married couples takes that
makes marriage responsibilities more tricky.Marriage helps individual mature on this question8.97% males
strongly agree with the fact that marriage helps an individual to get mature, 65.38% males agree with the same
fact, 16.67% males are not able to decide whether marriage is helpful in growing an individual mature, 3.85%
males disagree with the fact that marriage can help an individual to mature and 6.41% strongly disagree with
this fact. While 13.82% females strongly agree that marriage can be helpful in maturing an individual, 52.03%
agree with the same fact, 25.20% are undecided on the fact that marriage can be helpful or not in helping an
individual to mature, 4.88% disagree that marriage are helpful in maturing an individual and 4.06% strongly
disagree with the same fact. Among all young adult participants majority agrees with the fact that marriage
helps an individual mature.
When asked that a successful marriage should be more important than a successful career. On this
14.02% males strongly agree with the fact that a successful marriage is more important than a successful career,
24.36% agree with the same fact, 23.08% are not able to decide that which one is important, 29.49% males
disagree that a successful marriage is more important than a successful career, 8.97% strongly disagree with the
same fact. On the other hand 8.13% females strongly agree that a successful marriage is more important than a
successful career. 14.63% agree with the same fact, 27.64% are not able be decide the level of importance
between both, 33.33% disagree with the fact that a successful marriage is more important than a successful
career and 16.26 strongly disagree with the same fact. Among all young adult participants majority disagree
with the fact that a successful marriage is more important than a successful career. In the previous research it
was found that many modernwomen feel pressured into postponing marriage and children, for the sake of their
careers but the good news here is that a large body of research shows that you will gain more happiness by being
married than by having a good job. (Colon, 2013).

VI. CONCLUSION
It is concluded that young adult attitudes on marriage is changing with time. Males are accepting their
responsibility in marriage life while females view themselves as equal to male in roles of the society.
Acceptance rate on social rituals and myths has decreased and participant‟s view mutual compatibility as
important domain for the success of marriage in life. Present youth believes that it is not only wife‟s
responsibility to care about household chores whereas husbands responsibility on only to manage the finances of
the family. Majority believes that status and responsibility of both male and female is important after marriage.
Females give more emphasis on financial aspect of husband‟s family for marriage and males view that sexual
relationship increases bond between couple in marriage. Bhavana and Roopa (2013) in one of the study found
that there is no significant difference found between male and female attitude the concept of marriage, social
expectation and changing trends in marriage whereas, there is a significant difference found between the male
and female respondents with regard to sexual relationship, type of marriage, criteria for choosing life partner
and specific motives for successful marriage which is similar to the present research findings.

VII. LIMITATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Limitations of the present study are that the data was collected from unmarried young adult‟s
population only & attitudes of married young adults were not explored. Since the survey was conducted online,
it wasn‟t possible to interact with the participants to get an insight into the depth of the topic.Also, the sample
size for females was greater than the males creating an unequal representation of gender.
Future research recommendations can be made from our present study. Comparisons can be examined
by studying different age groups and increased sample size. The study can be expanded to other regions of
India. A few ideas for future research might include are to explore the reasons behind certain attitudes on
marriage of young adults; comparative study on the existing attitudinal differences can be done by exploring and

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 Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India

analyzing the generational differences and; generational and gender differences can also be explored with
respect to romantic relationships and formalizing these relationships into marriage.

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KanakYadav, Rakhee "Exploring the Attitudes of Young Adults towards Marriage in India.”
IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS). vol. 23 no. 3, 2018, pp. 25-44.

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