Romantic Relationships and Mate Preferences in Gen Z: A Study of Motivations and

Values in the Indian Context

Kishinchand Chellaram College, HSNC University

Department of Psychology

Dr. Rekha Wagani

Universal AI University

Department of Psychology

Report of Qualitative Study and Proposal for Quantitative Study for A.Y. 2024-2025

Submitted By:

Aayushi Dilip Bajaj

KSMAPSY004
Abstract

This study presented here seeks to examine love concerns and partner selection aspects of the

Indian Generation Z perspective by highlighting underlying individual values and socio-

demographic characteristics that influence partner selection. It covers a aspects of romantic

motivations which include; love, family, status, and adventure by focusing on ten semi-

structured interviews that were conducted with 10 respondents aged 18-27. It can be proposed

that emotional bonding, security combined with flexibility supersedes hierarchy in status as

this represent the shift of how people view the site of their life partners in modernism which

is based on the values of the family. The research also explores the association between these

preferences and the sociodemographical characteristics such as sex, age and religion and

provide some comparative comments on the current trends in the world. Finally, this study

adds to our knowledge of the intricate realities building romantic relationships among Gen Z

in India and responds to the challenges of changes of preferences in marriage in terms of

culture and generations.

Introduction

In the words of Stanley et al, love solutions and relationships are an important constituent of

human life since their pace of existence may be quick, and allows for the integration of

emotions, assets, and networks with another person. The researchers indicate that members of

Generation Z, defined by the years 1997 to 2012, have been socialized as well as managed

intimacy and relationship building differently from other generations because of the cultural,

technological and social environments around them. But, this time this cohort regarding

Jaramillo and Weaver seeks partners through looking for ‘love in the 21st century’ and the

tools and channels now available. In many customs, families even including India,

Generation Z faces the paradox of traditional patriarchal beliefs and rules governing

relationships and marriages and the modern western approach to everything. Thus, Indian

youths will achieve return targets set by globalization and social structures through

relationships how relationships should be practiced within India.

The findings suggest that the older generations still view marriage in a certain way. However,

members of Generation Z are reported to desire more in terms of emotional, relational or

value terms.

Historically, the family dynamics, societal expectations, and gender roles that were seen in

Indian society influenced relationship norms, but for Gen Z, digital media exposes them to

different thought processes, which are redefining romantic motivations beyond conventional

constructs (Singh & Kumar, 2021). Major studies show that Gen Zers in India have very high

levels of emotional support, interpersonal growth, and relational equality when compared to

their global counterparts.

The most important new and old values still influence mate choice, even while the principles

of class, financial security, and religious affiliation still have a strong hold today (Gopaldas,

2023).

While the values of social status, financial stability, and religious alignment still reign, the

supreme, new and old values also persist to have their way in mate choice (Gopaldas, 2023).

Despite the new trend, however, there exists very limited research in the area of how Gen Z

perceives mate choice and what tops the list of values in Indian relationships.

Understanding these preferences opens the door to deconstructing how romantic motivations

are Evading the sociocultural shift and uniqueness of this generation in the Indian context

(Vyas & Rathore, 2021). This paper explores the nature of these motivations and the value a

Gen Z places on romantic relationships based on both qualitative and quantitative research. It

will examine how the relationships' dynamics change within society, changing with speed.
Review of Literature

Love and mate preferences have been studied with much interest, especially among the

younger population of societies in rapid social transition in the last few decades. Generation

Z or Gen Z, in this regard, is particularly relevant as a vignette of transition. The Indian

young generation, born and brought up in a milieu that is simultaneously characterized by

deep-seated traditional cultural values and influences of modern, individualistic ideologies,

thus forms an appropriate sample for study. People belonging to this generation are broadly

defined as those who were born between 1997 and 2012, is at the centre of changing how

love and relationships are conceptualised and constructed in the country.

While traditional cultural values of family loyalty and interdependence remain paramount

factors in decisions over romance, there's been a powerful trend toward emotional

compatibility and personal growth and individual preference in choice of mates. This

literature review looks at how the interplay between cultural norms, gender roles, level of

family involvement, and evolving preferences for mates shape the romantic purpose and

expectations of Gen Z in India.

Grounded on a mix of evolutionary theories, cross-cultural studies, and current studies on

youth and romantic relationships, this review aims to attain the purpose of providing an

overall perspective on how preferences regarding mates in India are shaped through culture,

and also at present perceptions.

Impact of Culture on Mate Preferences in Collectivist Societies

The cultural setting in which individuals are socialized is one of the most strong factors in

determining their romantic choices. In a collectivist country like India, much importance is

placed on family, community, and social accord.

In such cultures, the desires of an individual are usually less important as compared to the

family or other collective good (Bejanyan, 2015). Approval by the family, more so when it is

marriage, is of utmost importance. This means that even romantic decisions are determined

by the values of the family, social status, or acceptance by societies.

This has been done by traditional arranged marriages: the families' active role in finding a

compatible spouse based on caste, social status, and family values (Srinivasan, 2019).

While still widely practiced, especially in more rural areas, Gen Z in the cities is starting to

challenge such traditional values. Studies have indicated that although family acceptance

remains to be the vital ingredient in mate selection, young people are now focusing on

emotional compatibility, mutual respect and personal values while settling for a partner

(Dholakia & Chopra, 2022). This approach to choosing a partner is in fact a hybrid one,

combining the culturally ingrained tendency toward family participation with modern

independent values.

Gen Z will find ways of balancing family needs with personal wants, fusing emotional

compatibility and common values and future compatibility with traditional factors such as

caste and socio-economic status.

Role of Family in Partner Choice

Family support still forms one of the most significant issues in Indian romantic relationships.

Gen Z is finding ways to harmonize personal desires with family requirements, balancing

emotional compatibility, common values, and future compatibility along with traditional

factors such as caste and socio-economic status.

With the rising trends toward individual preference, especially in Moral Lesson. In the city,

the need for parental approval is still high (Bejanyan, 2015). Parental approval generally
refers to more than just simply accepting. Families assess the potential spouse based on caste,

social status, education, and family background (Srinivasan, 2019).

Until today, marriage by mutual decision is not practiced in India. Traditions and routines of

culture and family have built the choice of mates. Families, elders, and the people have the

primary responsibility by different rites and rituals to ensure that this marriage would indeed

result in a successful one while it matches societal and family expectations (Jain &

Sundaram, 2020). Nonetheless, the conventional way of doing things is becoming outdated,

especially with Gen Z. There is a new trend today, where more personal authority over

selecting whom to marry is bestowed on the individuals, so that they may have an

opportunity to know each other and understand them before getting married, a fusion of

individual choice with traditional familial expectations (Dholakia & Chopra, 2022).

Gender Roles and Mate Preferences in India

The classical Indian society had predesignated roles for men and women, which further

decided the qualities sought in a spouse. It is ranked the men according to economic viability,

the capacity for family maintenance and social status, and women according to their ability as

good homemakers and caregivers (Bejanyan, 2015). These roles have been ingrained in the

Indian social culture and formed expectations from marriage and the expected characteristics

from a partner.

Studies have shown that the younger generations, particularly Gen Z, embrace an egalitarian

view of marriages. Most of the members of the generation focus on emotional compatibility,

equality, and mutual respect. They do not accept rigid gender characteristics but instead opt

for mutual responsibilities and self-growth (Sharma & Tripathi, 2021). This recognition of

gender identity is one among many new changes in a globe that has seen more young people
turning their attention to equality and emotional attachment in a relationship rather than rigid

gender expectations.

But these progressive ideals are not without exception, and gender expectations of old

continue to influence the mate selection process in rural areas and among people who do not

get as much exposure to progressive views. As such, women still might believe that qualities

like being a good homemaker or a feminine woman are more important qualities in their

eventual mates, even as they would expect those mates not to challenge their aspirations or

independence (Dholakia & Chopra, 2022).

The Origins of Mate Preferences in Evolution

Important frameworks for comprehending the process by which mate preferences emerge are

provided by the evolutionary underpinnings of mate preferences as described by theories of

Sexual Strategies Theory, Buss & Schmitt 1993, and Parental Investment Theory, Trivers

1972. This theory suggests that mate choice is based on selective pressures that have

promoted reproductive success. From Parental Investment Theory, women have stricter

standards regarding selection of mates because they have much more invested in bearing

children and raising them and so value things such as social status, availability of resources,

and commitment and ability to invest in offspring. By contrast, men, who traditionally

invested less in parenting, tend to prioritize physical attractiveness, which signals fertility and

reproductive health (Buss & Schmitt, 1993).

Though these evolutionary theories give a base for mate preference interpretations, it is

necessary to posit these theories in cultural contexts. Traditionally in India, social status,

caste, and acceptance within the family are quite some determinative factors in mate

selection, whereas attraction or emotional compatibility is not considered a primary aspect

(Kamble et al., 2014). However, as India is maturing into becoming an even more
modernized nation and as Gen Z grows, exposure to global outlooks, which over time have

been so much more about emotional compatibility and mutual respect instead of one's caste

and family background in finding the right life partner, it goes further into research (Dholakia

& Chopra, 2022).

Cultural Myths and Beliefs in Mate Selection

Cultural myths and beliefs and the traditions associated with romance and marriage have

played a crucial role in shaping the way people perceive relationships which essentially

comprises of idealized concepts of love, as proved by the

The concepts "The One and Only" or "Love is Enough" point out that there should be an ideal

partner, and love can conquer everything (Yilmaz et al., 2013). These romanticism ideals are

usually the underpinning of what young people expect to happen in their relationships. While

such beliefs can provide a guiding framework in making sense of romantic relationships, they

can also lead to some unrealistic expectations that may entail significance for relationship

satisfaction and choice of mates.

Conclusion

As the country progresses and Generation Z enters into their lives, demanding to maintain

one's desires with family and social expectations, the preferences for mates will evolve. To

fully study these preferences, one must include cultural, psychological, and evolutionary

factors affecting romantic relationships as well as all the global influences shaping history

today. This research study adds to the relatively few research on romantic relationships and

mate choices that has been out in India, exploring the ways in which gender forces, cultural

norms, and modern-day ideals cooperate to shape Gen Z's love expectations and motives in

India.
Structure for Specifying Variables

Mate preferences can be characterized as the traits and attributes that people are given when

selecting a spouse. They are the result of the combined effect of societal, psychological, and

evolutionary factors. Indian Gen Z's mate preferences can thus be explained by both external

factors like caste, family expectations, and personal values like sentimental reliability, respect

for one another, and common hobbies and interests.

Given the cultural backdrop, social standing is another important component that influences

these decisions. Partner selection within families and communities is particularly significant

and resonates with collectivist societies such as India (Bejanyan, 2015; Dholakia & Chopra,

2022).

Romantic Incentives The phrase "romantic drives" refers to the inner drives and aspirations

that lead people to pursue relationships with one another. Individual motivational factors like

closeness, security, alliance, and career advances may be among these. Relationships among

Gen Z are gradually being driven by social compatibility and shared respect for one another

rather than additional conservative factors like class, status or financial security (Sharma &

Tripathi, 2021). A equilibrium amid one's own welfares and responsibilities to family must be

struck, as is the case in India, because romantic drives are basically based on a blend of

individual choices and the social customs and ethics that oversee the culture to which the

individual belongs to (Dholakia & Chopra, 2022).

Family involvement in mate selection reflects the extent of contribution by family

members, or rather parents and elders, to the choice of romantic partner. In collectivistic

cultures such as India, family plays an important role in developing an individual's decisions

towards marriage as well as romantic relationships, which usually overrule individualistic

wishes. This involvement may range from evaluation of potential partners on compatibility
with family values, caste, social status, and overall family harmony (Bejanyan, 2015; Myers

et al., 2005). Even though the tradition of arranged marriages is on high in India, Gen Z youth

are trying to balance between their family wishes and personal desires about whom they want

to marry (Kamble et al., 2014).

Socio-Cultural Influence on Love Relations The wider the compass of social norms, values,

and expectations, the more influential the perception as well as enactment of love relations of

particular interest in the Indian context is the interconnection of such influences with

collectivistic values, gender roles, caste considerations, and family expectations.

These social norms may well foster or restrain the formation of love relations based on these

factors. For example, caste and socioeconomic status continue to exert a deep impact on the

decision of love partners, though developing youth generations are willing to accept purely

emotional relations and personal choice (Dholakia & Chopra, 2022; Kamble et al., 2014).

Gender roles and romantic expectations refer to the socially conditioned expectations or

expectable behavior of men and women as individuals in romantic relationships. In the

traditional Indian culture envisions varied impacts the way males and females view their

romantic relationships. The masculine is more of a provider while the feminine is expected to

be concentrating on homemaking and childcare. However, with the Gen Z from India, this

outlook is gradually phased out as more consideration is seen among couples regarding

mutual respect and emotional compatibility. Changing gender roles define romantic

relationships, especially in terms of mate choice and relationship experiences. Sharma and

Tripathi 2021; Zhang 2021.

Emotional intimacy means being deeply emotional and attached with a love partner.

Typically, such a relationship features mutual consent, trust, emotional support, personal

communication with open expression of feelings and experiences. Emotional intimacy has
become a strong factor in the mate choices of Gen Z Indians, as is demonstrated by their

preference for people seeking an emotional bond rather than any of the more traditional

grounds such as caste, economic security, or family background (Dholakia & Chopra, 2022).

It represents deeper macro-culture trends in which emotional bonding is seen as a very

significant ingredient of successful romantic relationships.

Flexibility and compatibility refer to how easily romantic partners can adjust to one

another's personalities, lifestyles, and expectations. Compatibility usually consists of shared

are thus split into values, interests, and life goals, while adaptability identifies the flexibility

of one to shift within the disputes, variances, and difficulties that are witnessed within the

relation. In the case of Gen Z, all these aspects of value, interest, and life goal are working as

the factors in choosing a companion, and an increasing number of people are in search of a

flexible and compromising mate who can adapt to the ever-changing conditions. And thus,

adaptability is an important aspect of the dynamic and transitioning character of Indian

modern romantic bonds.

Social status within mate choice refers to the utility attached to a person's social or economic

position or family or class background when choosing a mate. Traditionally, social status for

Indians has been constituted of caste and economic status significant place in the choice of a

spouse. Although these factors remain relevant for the choice of a spouse , younger

generations in India, especially Gen Z, are focusing more on compatibility and values rather

than social status. However, social status could still influence the perception of family

approval and acceptance of the relationship in society (Myers et al., 2005; Kamble et al.,

2014).

Marital Preference Changes Depending on Culture

Cultural shifts in mate preferences refer to how the standards used to select romantic mates

evolve over time. These variations have arose in India as a outcome of modernity,

globalization, and the introduction of new social concepts via social media and classrooms. In

distinction to the old caste and familial pressures, Indian Gen Z is now mostly focused on

own preference and emotional compatibility. All these minute progress in the country are a

direct reflection of India's major cultural shifts, where in the traditional arranged marriages

have gradually been replaced by love marriages, which indicates that India is moving towards

a larger emphasis on emotional attachment and individual achievements (career aspects) in

intimate relationships (Dholakia & Chopra, 2022; Kamble et al., 2014).

Theoretical Context Review

A range of theoretical frameworks are used to describe a variety of elements impacting

personal decisions and actions in the context of relationships in order to understand romantic

relationships and mate preferences for those from Generation Z in India. The resulting set of

studies greatly contributes to the wide understanding of how several social, psychological,

and cultural features interact in order to support young people (gen z) in navigating through

romantic relationships.

Within this study, three major theories have been applied to test the link between romantic

motivations, mate preferences, and the socio-cultural environment. These are Social

Exchange Theory, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Cultural Scripts Theory.

Social Exchange Theory Thibaut & Kelley (1959)

SET offers a useful lens through which to view how individuals make decisions about the

cost and benefit of relationships. People decide on the quality or potentiality of a relationship

based upon rewards (emotional intimacy, companionship, security) and costs (emotional

stress, time investment, societal pressures) that are perceived from experiences with others. In

romantic relationships, people will evaluate a potential partner by weighing these benefits

and costs. For the gen Z world, this theory explains why these emotive compatibility, mutual

respect, and shared values are gaining top priority in mate choice over the traditional factors

like caste or social status, financial stability.

The SET model thus indicates how old forces of family approval, caste, and social status

dominate romantic choices in India, yet, increasingly, people are more towards the need of

emotional gratification and personal attachment, changing the nature of mate choice as it

relates to a greater or lesser emphasis on the rewards offered by the outside world- family and

society- traditional family approval, caste, and social status-for personal desires.
Planned Behaviour Theory (Ajzen, 1991)

In addition to the previous crucial model in order for understanding by what means attitudes,

expectations of the society, and key elements of beliefs that deeply affect an individual's

behavior—counting that which pertains to judgments about romantic relationships, is the

Theory of Planned Behavior by Ajzen. There are three simple factors or elements, according

to this theory, that play a significant part in impacting the behavior.

They are: perceptions of behavioural control, subjective norms, and attitudes toward the

conduct.

Individual attitudes toward behaviour: Looking into the context of romantic preferences, this

implies the individual’s own values and core beliefs that define and redefine the expectations

of certain attributes of a partner, for example, emotional and/or social compatibility.

Subjective norms: These refer to the forces and expectations that people encounter, and

influence their decisions- making. Family and cultural views on caste, marriage, and social

standing are significant subjective standards influencing love choices in India.

The extent to which individuals believe that they have control over the decisions they opt for

to make in their relationships is reflected in perceived behavioral control, which characterizes

Generation Z. The mark of power Gen Z would have over such decisions would hence

depend on their level of education, interface with various perspectives, and accessibility of

social support.

TPB gives a clear mechanism of understanding how cultural and familial norms often impose

emphasis on traditional considerations such as caste and family approval as conflicting with

personal attitudes favoring emotional compatibility as well as similar values.

Cultural Scripts Theory (Gergen, 1991)

Cultural Scripts Theory is an important perspective from which to reflect on the shaping of

personal conduct by cultural stories and expectations, of course particularly in romance. As

such, cultural scripts are social constructs that define how people should act in certain

situations, that is, romantic relationships. In India, cultural scripts are shaped more

particularly by societal values, family traditions, and gendered roles. For Gen Z, cultural

scripts are changing with a stronger focus on emotional compatibility, personal choice, and

individual fulfillment in relationships. However, these modern scripts are in step with more

traditional scripts that emphasize family involvement, caste, and expectations for gender roles

in partner choice.

The Cultural Scripts Theory can be applied to explain the tension Gen Zers are likely to feel

as they work to meld the relatively new focus on autonomy and emotional intimacy with

giving up tradition. In most cases, this split produces a contradictory tug between opposites.

This can be traced to motivation, where the youth would probably yearn for much greater

freedom in choosing their desired mates but are highly constrained by what their family

wants and what society deems is good enough.

Integrating the Three Theories to Understand India's Gen Z View

Altogether, these three theories propose a detailed, through and through grasp of the many

elements swaying Gen Z Indians' romantic instincts and preferences in romantic mates. The

Theory of Planned Behavior emphasizes how personal attitudes, subjective norms, and

perceived to be more precise, control exert influence over romantic choices, especially the

conflict between individual desires and family expectations. Lastly, Cultural Scripts Theory

explains how evolving cultural narratives about love, marriage, and gender impact the

decisions youth takes regarding romance.

Relevance of this Study

Understanding in a deeper context how shifting motivations, values, and sociocultural factors

for an individual are significantly influencing romantic choices, this particular study

determines to close a important research gap about the ever-evolving nature of romantic

relationships and mate preferences among Gen Z in India.

The study was especially important in examining the shift in the balance between traditional

cultural expectations and emerging individualist desires within a generation that has, without

question, been hugely impacted by globalization and modernization. While India's Gen Z is

characterized by its openness and freedom to avail of global thoughts and advancing

technology, the role of traditional cultural and familial structures within romantic

relationships is still significant.

So, in the last two decades, many young Indians have started questioning long-established

norms around romance-specifically, arranged marriages, caste-based selection of partners,

and fixed gender roles. It is crucial to understand, therefore, how Gen Z navigates this tension

by reconciling traditional interests with new elements. By taking into account Indian cultural

norms and family participation, the study closely examines how views about romantic

relationships, mate choices, and the selection of a romantic partner are evolving.

It would be be determined to explore if Gen Z truly approves these new standards or merely

aims to strike a balance between modern desires and familial expectations, creating a mix of

romantic motivations and partner choices.

Furthermore, this research delves into the influence of gender on romance selection. Even as

modern conceptions of gender equality and mutual respect in relations are becoming

increasingly dominant with each day, traditional gender roles continue to play a pivotal role

in how young men and young women contextualize romance and partnership in India. This
study will examine changing gender roles among Gen Z for emotional and financial

expectations associated with relationships. It will determine if the adolescent would rather go

for emotional intimacy, stability, adaptability, or social status when making a choice of a

partner.

In modern india, this is essential as it may provide further understanding into the manner in

which that personal preference, familial influence, and cultural norms interact to create

romantic relationships. Policymakers, mental health specialists, and relationship counselors

can greatly benefit from this research's understanding of how Gen Z's mate preferences and

romantic reasons are evolving. The implications of family and societal standards on romantic

relationships will be crucial in designing actions which promote healthy relationships,

equality of gender, and young adult emotional well-being as India continues to navigate the

constantly evolving balance of tradition and modernity.

Moreover, the conclusions of this study will form a much larger debate in the literature of

romantic relationships in collectivistic societies, particularly within the Indian context where

the relationship, even at the decision-making stage, remains family-centric. Such a study can

find application in future interventions that bring out frank debates regarding the expectations

of the romantic relationship, cater to the emotional needs of young people, and emphasize the

role of emotional compatibility. Ultimately, it attempts to add to the ever-growing literature

on romantic relationships in India and understand, in some detail, how Gen Z is transforming

the cultural norms that have historically defined mate selection and romantic partnership in

India.
Study 1:

Methodology

Research Design

The study adopted in the current research is qualitatively of design, studying romantic

motivations, mate preferences, and the influence of sociodemographic factors on romantic

relationships in Gen Z in India. The qualitative approach has been preferred for the study as it

creates an opportunity for the participants to narrate their experiences and viewpoints in their

own words, thus revealing deep insights into the complexities of romantic partner choice. The

present study refers to the Biopsychosocial Model (Engel, 1977), which considers the

interaction between biological, psychological, and social forces in determining romantic

preferences. The model is, therefore, apt for understanding where individual motivations such

as emotional intimacy, love, and status interface with cultural influences such as family

expectations, religious values, during the process of mate selection.

Participants

This study recruited 10 participants that belong to Gen Z, who are currently navigating or

who have recently been involved in romantic relationships. Participants were recruited

through a purposive sampling technique. This was applied to engage participants who

epitomize a range of social and demographic characteristics, including gender, age,

religiosity, and education. Participants who were willing to elaborate on their romantic

motivations and preferences were included. The sample size for this qualitative research is

just sufficient in that it enables exploring while at the same time it is not overly huge.

Participants will be eligible and included into the study in case he/she

- Is between 18-27 years old

- Currently or recently have been in romantic relationships.

- Honesty in sharing personal reasons, values, and relationship interests.

Participants were invited through Instagram and other online social networks, as well as

through personal connections, to ensure a diverse and representative sample of Gen Z urban

dwelling residents of the Indian subcontinent. The final sample is comprised of participants

from a variety of educational levels, family situations, and backgrounds of varying cultural or

religious persuasion.

Data Collection

Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews that will ensure flexibility in

moving towards more open-ended responses but also have some level of structure to help

facilitate the interview and allow for better observation and note taking.

This way, through the interviews, these key themes central to research objectives are

explored. The interviews were designed to elicit rich, narrative responses which allowed

participants in the expression of their views on romantic motivations, personal values and

sociodemographic factors influencing their preferences for a mate.

The semi-structured format allows open questions which elicit participants' elaborations on

ideas and experiences. In general, thematic areas interviewed for were the following:

Romantic motivations: for instance, love, family, status, and adventure.

Personal values (e.g., openness to change, stability, self-enhancement).

Sociodemographic influences (e.g., gender, age, religiosity, education, family expectations).

Cross-culture comparisons (e.g., the degree of compatibility of preferences with worldwide

romantic trends).
Each interview was approximately 45-60 minutes long, and the interviews were conducted

through the online video call platform (e.g., Google Meet). The interviews were audio

recorded with the consent of participants beforehand, and the transcripts were prepared

verbatim for further analysis.

Tool Chosen for Data Collection

Semi-structured interviews were selected as the primary method to gather data as they are

known to hold a good amount of rich information regarding the underlying motivations,

values, and drivers of participants' romantic preferences. The semi-structured interview will

allow the researcher to both narrow down and broaden in scope to explore this topic

effectively by voicing specific lived experiences of participants while still meeting the

targeted objectives of the main research questions. The nature of the interview is open-ended

questions which enables discovery of unforeseen themes that may surface during the

discussion.

Data Analysis

The data collected through the semi-structured interviews will be handled through thematic

analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). It is a very effective method when it comes to finding and

interpreting consistencies in qualitative data. The stages of analysis are multistage:

• Reading and re-reading transcriptions to get used to the data.

• Code generation based on the prominent themes that would emerge from answers to

the interview.

• Theme Searching: Similar codes are grouped into one theme.

• Review of themes for the best fit for the data

• Labeling and naming of the themes: A meaning for the identified pattern
Procedure

The research subjects were contacted from social media groups and requested to volunteer to

participate in a research study. The method sought to inquire from the respondents what the

study entailed, its scope, what the research involved, ethical concerns in relation to

anonymity and that participation was voluntary. Post the informed consent, the participants

were then scheduled for one-on-one interviews. Also, due to time and travel constraints, one-

on-one interviews with the participants were conducted online through video conferencing

via Google Meet.

Interviews were conducted audio-recording with explicit consent from participants, ensuring

confidentiality. Each interview was put under transcript verbatim in order to ensure that the

participants' responses were properly analyzed.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical issues are pertinent to this research. Participants were given a clue concerning the

purpose of the research, the nature of the process involved in the interview and their right to

withdraw at their will without penalty. Confidentiality was assured as the data was

anonymized at the stage of production.

Through this transcription and analysis process, participant confidentiality will be ensured. A

report will only be provided on aggregate findings, and personal identifiers will not feature in

the final analysis.

Results of The Qualitative Study:

Demographics and Participant Characteristics

The participants were between 18-27 years of age, and the sample population was 10. The

medium age was 24.6 (SD = 3.4). The female respondent ratio was more at 75% while the
male was 25%. Mostly, 80% were single, and 20% were in a committed relationship. Most of

the participants were from urban areas; at 65%, and a variety of socio-economic

backgrounds, and with predominance from middle to upper-middle-class backgrounds.

Themes and Sub-themes Identified

From the responses gathered through the survey, and the further interviews, here are some

critical themes that emerge regarding romantic relationships and mate preferences among

Gen Z in India.

The themes include:

1. Emotional and Psychological Compatibility

Emotional Intimacy: The most paramount factor in mate selection, with 87 percent of

participants identifying a need for emotional connection.

Trust: The most important aspect of romantic relationships, 82 percent rank trust as one of the

top priorities.

Shared Values: In values, too, respondents believed that consistency of values such as being

family-oriented, career-oriented, lifestyle-oriented was important for 78% respondents.

2. Social and Familial Influence

Family Approval: 70% of the respondents said that family approval was an influential factor

when it came to choosing their relationship, with the younger respondents (18-24) desiring

more freedom.

Societal Expectations: 62% of the respondents felt the pressure from society about age and

the conventional notion of marriage.

Peer Group Pressure: The respondent who reported that peer influence was important for

them within the context in which they found themselves-often determining their partner

choice-is 58%.

3. Operational Concerns and Financial Security

Economic Concerns: Even though 68% of the respondents said they require financial

security, such a concern is still far behind emotional compatibility.

Security and Flexibility: Security was of concern to 39%, while flexibility, or a capacity to

handle stressors, is a matter of grave importance for 55%.

4. Attachment and Relationship Needs

Affective Attachment: 76% of the respondents used emotional attachment, among them being

companionship and love as primary factors that led to the formation of relationships.

Social Motivation: 58% said that the social factors of societal validation and peer pressure,

helped determine who they would date.

Security-Motivated: 39% ranked financial security and social status as nearly important.

5. Physical Attractiveness and Sexual Compatibility

Physical Attractiveness: Though 60% of respondents said that physical attractiveness was

somewhat important, they reported it was not a primary basis of choice of mate choice

Sexual Compatibility: Though sexual compatibility was ranked as less important than

emotional compatibility, 50% of respondents also considered sexual attraction and

compatibility in a long-term partner as essential.

6. Conflicts and Communication

Communication Styles: 72% of participants said that open communication and mutual respect

are valued in disputes.

Conflict Avoidance: 28% of the respondents said that they steered clear of conflict simply to

maintain the harmony in relationships.

7. Media Influence

Media and Social Media Influence: 35% of the participants revealed that portrayals of

relationships especially via social media and entertainment influence their expectations and

perceptions about romance.

Discussion

This study brings out the transformed dimensions of the romantic relationships as well as

preference for mates among Gen Z in India. The analysis is such that, among the youth, there

is a growing emphasis on mate selection on emotional and psychological compatibility

followed by economic considerations relegated to the periphery.

Emotional intimacy, trust, and values have emerged as significant factors in mate selection.

These findings are consonant with some general trends across the globe in which younger

generations place greater emphasis on mate selection than their elders and value emotional

bond and compatibility more than material or superficial characteristic. The importance

accorded to emotional intimacy (87%) and trust (82%) reveals the fact that Indian youth,

especially in cities, are allowing more space to this kind of connection than other factors like

financial security.

Though personal choice is increasingly gaining precedence, family influence still continues.

There was also a findings in this regard that 70% of the respondents continue to attach great

importance to family approval towards their marriage at the appropriate time, indicating the

lasting role of family in Indian life.

But the younger age group (18-24 years) showed a need for more autonomy, thus showing

that there is indeed a generational change towards individualism. Added to this are societal

and peer pressure as 62% of participants reported being pressured into marrying according to

societal timelines.

Financial security is an important consideration; however, it was ranked last in all

comparisons. This would indicate some shift in attitudes, especially among women, who have

become increasingly financially independent and look for emotional rather than just

economic support from their partners. Urbanization and changing gender dynamics may also
be explained by the secondary function of financial concerns, where material security is

subordinated to independence and shared values. In addition, emotional motivations for

romantic partnerships were categorized, including social and security-related elements.

Emotional motivation was the primary driving force in relationship choices with 76% of

respondents reporting a need for love and companionship.

This trend would point to a general social pattern: that relationships serve as channels for

people to achieve emotional fulfillment. However, both social pressures (58%) and security

concerns (39%) also cut across to prove that emotional compatibility is largely preferred but

social expectations and financial security remain influential in the connection in people's

lives.

The relatively smaller weight given to physical qualities (60%) and the secondary status of

sexual compatibility (50%) to emotional factors confirms the shift in the expectations of

Indian Gen Z as far as romantic relationships are concerned. It can thus be deduced that such

respondents gave greater importance to inner quality or emotional connection, which was not

the case traditionally where relationship structures were often built along physical attraction.

Most responders (72%), appreciated open communication and respect for one another. when

attempting to settle disputes, implying that better, more open interactions are required.

Nonetheless, 28% acknowledged that they completely avoided confrontation. This may

indicate that some people still steer clear of relationship conflict, which can be attributed to

traditional attitudes that value harmony over disagreement.

The impact of mass media and social media on romance was also significant, with 35% of the

participants reporting that media was a source for shaping their expectations of relationships:
This is very important in drawing attention toward popular culture in the formation of

relationship standards and the idealization of romance, that may sometimes work in

accordance with real relationship dynamics.

This study shows a complex interplay between modernity and tradition as well in defining

romantic preference amongst Gen Z in India: There is a clear shift toward valuing emotional

compatibility and personal fulfillment, but familial approval and societal expectations remain

important. The study findings show that as Indian society continues to evolve across

generations, the priorities of the young are now based more on emotional and psychological

factors than on the traditional indicators that would have often portrayed success in

relationships: financial stability and physical appearance. It is also precisely this context that

becomes important to policymakers, educators, and relationship counselors who work with

young people in contemporary India.

Limitations

Although the current study provides much-needed insights into the romantic motivations and

mate preferences of Gen Z, limitations exist in the study. The sample size was limited to just

10, and it may not entirely reflect the diversity of experiences and preferences amongst the

Indian population of Gen Z. The use of semi-structured interviews as a method of gathering

information also limits the generalisability of findings because the responses may have been

coloured with the desires and intentions of the participants in trying to give socially desirable

responses, or did not clearly communicate all aspects of their experiences.

This study utilized a qualitative methodology. Such studies provide very rich, subjective

notes, but do not have the statistical robustness to generalize findings to larger populations. A

more quantitative study could further explain some of the patterns experienced, for example

measuring the relative size of emotional intimacy versus physical attraction across a
a larger, more generalizable sample size. The quantitative analysis may detail the extent to

which sociodemographic features, including gender, age, and educational history, are

statistically significant predictors of preferred romantic relationships.

Proposal for Study 2 & 3

Formulate hypotheses

Expanding on the insights of Study 1, based on both secondary and primary data, the

researcher further develops the questions for the study in both qualitative and hypothesis

statements based on the literature review and qualitative data integration.

Research Questions:

What is the role of emotional intimacy, adaptability, security, and social status in mate

preference by Gen Z individuals in India?

How might personal values, other sociodemographic factors such as age, religion, and socio-

economic status, influence the expectations of romance relationship in Gen Z?

Hypothesis:

H1: Preferences regarding mates will be related to more satisfactory relationships for Gen Z

who want deep emotional connection and flexibility.

H2: Perception of social status will be a significant predictor for romantic motivations among

Gen Z youth, but those coming from higher socio-economic backgrounds are going to be

more emphatic over social status.

H3: Family values, independence values, and gender-related values will reduce the

relationship between young Gen-Zers' mate preferences and their relationship satisfaction.

Tools that may be applied to operationalize in Study 2 & 3:

MPS: A scale specifically designed to assess dimensions of mate preferences among Gen Z.

Items would include emotional intimacy, adjustability, security, and social status. This scale

would be rated on a Likert scale from "Not important" to "Very important".

Relationship Motivation Inventory (RMI): This will consider some motivations among Gen Z

youth, including emotions, social, and personal drives into romantic relationships. It will also

see how these motivations correlate with romantic expectations.

Personal Values and Relationship Expectations Survey (PVR-RES): A survey designed to

capture the personal values among people, such as for example: independence, family ties,

traditional gender roles, and how such values influence expectations and preferences in a

relationship.

Socio-demographic Questionnaire: a self-designed questionnaire for capturing the

sociodemographic variables sources of such ages, genders, religion, socio-economic status,

and education level, which may influence mate preferences and dynamics in relationships.

Reference to Published Surveys:

The Mate Preference Scale (MPS) could be derived from the Mate Preferences Scale that is

used by other cultural and demographic fields.

This relationship motivation inventory (RMI) will be an elaboration from existing models of

relationship motivation, but the items would be specific to the focus of the study.

The PVR-RES can be guided by already validated scales for value measurement, such as the

Schwartz Value Survey for personal values and in-depth research on relationship

expectations.

Method:

Study 2:

Mate Preference and Motivation Scales Standardization and Validation

Proposed Sample Size: The sample would comprise 200 participants, who are aged 18-27, to

ensure high statistical power to validate the scale and to generalize findings.

Sampling Method: The survey will conduct convenience sampling by inviting participants

from social media and the university network, such that the ideal sample is the one that

represents diverse beliefs about romantic love with a reasonably close age distribution.

Statistical Test:

Descriptive statistics will be used in summarizing demographic and variable distributions.

With factor analysis, underlying dimensions of mate preferences and relationship motivations

would be detected.

Reliability analysis of Cronbach's alpha will be run on the scales measuring mate preferences,

relationship motivations, and personal values.

T-tests and ANOVA will examine differences in mate preferences between sociodemographic

groups.

Correlation Analysis will examine relationships between mate preferences, relationship

motivations, and sociodemographic variables.

Study 3:

Quantitative investigation of relationship happiness, social support, and mate preference. To

achieve appropriate statistical power and significant connections among the variables of

interest, a sample size of 300 participants is suggested for the quantitative investigation.

The sampling technique Convenience sampling will be employed, with a focus on individuals

gathered via websites and online resources as well as Gen Z support groups in India.

Statistical Analysis:
Descriptive Statistics will summarize demographic data and variables such as mate

preference, social support, relational motivations, and satisfaction with the relationship.

Multiple regression analysis will assess whether mate preferences and social support predict

relationship satisfaction and overall well-being.

Correlation Analysis will help in assessing the strength and direction among personal values,

mate preferences, and relationship satisfaction.

Visualization: Scatter plots and histograms will be used to visualize the data and relationships

in between variables. These studies will provide insight on the variables influencing Gen Zs'

mate preferences and romantic relationships in India. In order to gain a deeper understanding

of the dynamics of relationships in the Indian context and to lay the groundwork for potential

relationship actions and counseling, the study will be useful to comprehend how feelings of

intimacy, versatility, social status, and individual values inform romantic motivations.
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