Marriage, process and preparedness among Youth: Insight from Youth in India

It is evident that rapid global changes including urbanization, migration, increasing educational opportunities and technological advancement have impact on the institution of marriage all over the world and India is not exception to these changes. However, traditional values and norms have still playing significant influence on age at marriage, process of mate selection, dowry, status of bride in family etc. Youth in India study, a sub nationally representative survey, provide us an opportunity to explore these dimensions minutely. Results reveal that arrange marriage prevails irrespective of states, however some independency in choice of groom or bride is observed in Tamil Nadu. Largely, youth in northern states are not aware about their would-be spouse before marriage, which is not the case for southern states. Men are excited about marriage while for female; marriage is a reason to worry. The chances of knowing spouse before marriage is significantly more, if the age at marriage is above the legal age. Better economic condition and mother’s education, education of married women appeared as significant and positive determinants on this. Men and women living in non-nuclear family and in rural areas are less likely to interact with their spouse before marriage