With this ring I thee wed : perceptions about marriage among University students

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the perceptions of marriage among University students. In order to conduct this study a quantitative approach was used based on the hypothesis that University students have clear expectations of what they want in marriage. A questionnaire was distributed among a sample of the student population aged 18 to 21 years of age who have never been married. Two main findings came out of the hypothesis; first of all that University students have clear ideas of what they want of their partners and secondly that marriage is still highly valued and is very much on the agenda of the students. This study found that although the sample of students has some progressive views about topics like contraception and communication, when it comes to family matters, more stereotypical gendered views came out. For example, women are first seen as mothers, caregivers and housekeepers and to a lesser extent as individuals who should pursue a full time career. When it comes to the sharing of domestic responsibilities more egalitarian views emerged. This study confirms that marriage is still on the agenda of young University students despite the drawbacks of somewhat rigid gender roles. Since respondents had some progressive ideas about certain aspects of life, one can hope that gender roles in future will be more fluid in order to build strong marriages based on equality where the joys and burdens of marriage are more equally shared between the couple.