Gender differences in mate selection criteria among university students in Bangladesh: A study from the social homogamy perspective

Abstract

Gender differences in mate selection criteria across cultures are common. In various cross-cultural research, these gender differences are explained by different socio-cultural theories. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate gender differences in mate selection criteria in Bangladeshi culture and to explain these differences by the social homogamy theory. An unstructured interview method was followed to obtain the aim of the study. A total of 120 unmarried Bangladeshi university students were chosen to participate the study whose age were ranging from 21 to 24 years ( M = 22.45, SD = 1.75). The participants were selected by a convenient sampling method from four universities in Bangladesh. They were equally divided in terms of gender and university. A total of twelve mate selection criteria were found in the study, in which each student averagely responded 7.23 criteria. The highest and lowest number of responses were observed in education ( n = 108) and residential status ( n = 33) criterion, respectively. The top-ranked criterion considered by male and female students was physical attractiveness and education respectively. Gender difference in mate selection preferences was found to be significant in the study. Though, gender difference was significant in age, education, financial status, physical appearance, physical attractiveness, and profession criterion; however, the gender difference was not significant in character, in-law family's education, in-law family's social approval, religion, region, and residential status. Mate selection criteria considered by Bangladeshi students are explained by the social homogamy theory. The study would help Bangladeshi people to be aware of their mate selection in their own Bangladeshi culture.

Transformations of Parental Socio-economic Characteristics into the Married Couple in Rural Nepal

“…The physical structure, body weight, height, complexion, love, caring, understanding, level of education and discipline, type of profession etc. are among the foremost criteria for youths in order to decide on potential mate selection (Islam, 2021). People prefer similarities in between marriage partners; however, the main argument of present study is that the marriage which is more heterogeneous in terms of aforementioned characteristics would bring more socio-economic integration in the society than the marriage in between individuals within same socio-economic stratum.…”

“…They would decide who would best fit to whom as their life partner and the either side would accept the decision of the guardians. The main criteria of selection from the male side was the behavior and appearance of the girl while that from the female side was the wealth of the household, social standing and industriousness of the boy ( Malliki, 2009;Malliki, 2011;Islam, 2021;Research & Somashekarappa, 2019). People always prefer to have marriage within the similar socio-economic strata to avoid potential mismatch in social statuses and conflicts between boy and girl's side after getting marriage (Islam, 2021).…”

“…The main criteria of selection from the male side was the behavior and appearance of the girl while that from the female side was the wealth of the household, social standing and industriousness of the boy ( Malliki, 2009;Malliki, 2011;Islam, 2021;Research & Somashekarappa, 2019). People always prefer to have marriage within the similar socio-economic strata to avoid potential mismatch in social statuses and conflicts between boy and girl's side after getting marriage (Islam, 2021). The most rigid social criteria was within the same caste and religion, but not within the same clan to avoid risk of potential inbreeding and regression of the progenitors.…”

“…Girls side value more for the economic resources of the boy which would not impose constraints on family budget to spend a prosperous life (Khallad, 2005;Conley, 2007;Malliki, 2011;Mamasan, 2005;Islam, 2021;Research & Somashekarappa, 2019) , while boys side is very much concerned the politeness and good manners of the girls so as to maintain the harmony in family. In the modern liberal world, choice of the life partner is shifted solely to individual preferences and decision, rather than family matter.…”

What potential traits do adolescents and early adults look for in mate preferences?

“…In a monogamous Muslim society like Bangladesh, which is witnessing a transformation in rigid socio-cultural dimensions, some (if not the majority) people must settle for a single partner who possesses the qualities that are universally desired as well as culturally appropriate. Though recent research suggests the priority of educational qualification while selecting the mates ( Islam, 2021 ), it is yet to be known whether the universally desired traits are reliable for the Bangladesh sample. In addition, consensual preferences generate both cross-character and character-specific assortment in mating systems by multiple attribute criteria; a given overall "market value" is achieved by elevation on various combinations of attributes.…”