Traits considered important in the selection of a marriage partner among young matriculated blacks
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Date
1982
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Abstract
In several studies conducted mostly in the United States of America it was found that members of both sexes were attracted towards each other for different reasons. Traits mentioned in different studies are phy= sical attractiveness, material possessions and certain personality cha= racteristics, such as pleasantness, sociability, trustworthiness, etc. With regard to race and socio-economic status investigators differ.
It was also found that males and females have different opinions on some factors and the same opinion on others.
The aim of this investigation was to find out what young matriculated Blacks look for in a future marriage partner.
The following hypotheses were formulated:
(i) Males and females do not emphasize the same characteristics
in the choice of a life partner.
(ii)
The choice of a marriage partner depends on the religious commitment of the prospective spouse.
Uii)
Social status plays an important role in the selection of a marriage partner.
(iv)
Physical attractiveness is regarded as an important charac= teristic in the choice of a life partner.
(v)
The tribal background of the opposite sex member is con= sidered important in the choice of a life partner.
(v±>
Having children is considered important in marriage.
Cvli)
Submissiveness of the wife is considered important in
marriage.
'vlii) Home-making (domesticity) is considered important in marriage.
To gather the relevant information, a questionnaire was constructed, consisting of thirty-six items in its final form. The methods of S.um= mated Ratings, and the Split-half coefficient were used to test the validity and the reliability of the questionnaire.
The validated questionnaire was administered to two hundred first-year university students; ninety-one males and one hundred and nine females.
The following conclusions were arrived at:
(i) Males and females tend to emphasize the same characteristics
in the choice of a life partner.
(ii) The choice of a marriage partner does not depend on the rer
ligious affiliation of the prospective spouse.
(iii) The great majority of subjects expressed themselves against
social class as a criterion in the choice of a marriage partner.
(iv) Physical attractiveness is not regarded as an important cha=
racteristic in the choice of a life partner.
(v) The tribal background of the opposite sex member is not con=
sidered important in the choice of a life partner.
(vi) Children are considered important in marriage.
(vii) Submissiveness of the wife is considered important in marriage.
(viii) Home-making is not considered important in marriage.
The findings of the study indicate that there is scope for future re= search, in which the views of urban and rural, educated and uneducated communities may be compared.
Also, it is recommended that in a future study the causes of divorce should be compared with the traits considered important in the selection of a marriage partner.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 1982.
Keywords
Blacks--South Africa--Marriage customs and rites, Marriage customs and rites