Cultural norms and their Influence on Marriage Decision-Making among Young Adults

Abstract

Marriage decision-making among young adults is deeply rooted with cultural beliefs on family responsibility, gender roles and expectations relating to partner selection. In many societies, cultural prescriptions still play an important role when shaping how people gain autonomy and collective values when it comes to determining a marital partner. This paper looks at the role of cultural norms, which include, norms of collectivism, parental authority, honor, gendered expectations, etc. and how this affects decision making by young adults in regards to marriage. Using the scholarly insights of cross-cultural psychology and sociology, the discussion emphasizes on how the youth tend to go through a complex interaction between individual desires and cultural demands. The fact that globalization and modern education have brought about in many contemporary individuals a variety of options for weddings, still, conventional cultural frameworks have maintained considerable authority in influencing marriage-related selection of preferences, behaviours and choices, is pointed out in a research. The results contribute to current debates about issues of youth autonomy, intergenerational bargaining, and changing marital practices in the developing world society.