Unraveling the changing dynamics of mate selection in 21st century: A content analysis in Indian perspective

Ravi Prakash, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Sulabha Parasuraman, International Institute for Population Sciences

Beginning with the late nineteenth century and continuing to present century, modernization and industrialization brought substantial family changes. The technological and ecological changes, changes in governance and institutions, and changes in norms and values were the main forces that induced societal changes. With these developments, a lot of changes have been observed in the institution of marriage as well, especially in dynamics of mate selection. Unfortunately, Indian literatures do not provide ample evidence for these changes, mostly, due to inadequate data in this regard. Using classified matrimonial advertisements from the World’s highest circulated English newspaper- The Times of India, this study tries to explore the changes in dynamics of mate selection by focusing on changing preference pattern in spouse selection. This paper examines the hypothesis that along with the modernization, traditional roles are becoming a little weak and preferences in prospective mate are converging (almost similar), irrespective of socio-cultural background.