[연구논문] 30대 중후반 기혼남녀의 배우자선택과 결혼생활의 의미

The Meaning of Mate Selection and Marital Life among Men and Women Born between 1965 and 1969: A Qualitative Study

This study focused on the essence and meaning of mate selection and marital life. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten married men and women who were born between 1965 and 1969. Data were analyzed via phenomenological methodology. Reasons for marrying were primarily based on the expectation that every?one should marry at an expected age. Emotional and economic comfort and independent housing were also significant motives. Regarding mate selection, participants mentioned love, personality, appearance, educational level and job. The emphasis placed on each factor differed by gender. Social norms and family situations influenced the timing of marriage. During the mate selection process, most couples agreed to marry without a romantic courtship process. Acceptance from the partner's family was the final step of the marriage agreement. The benefits of marital life mentioned were emotional comfort: satisfaction with food, clothing and housing; relationship improvement with family-of -origin; and being parents. The drawbacks were limitations in freedom, economic stress, burdens from traditional gender roles and relationships with the husband's family-af-origin. After comparing benefits and drawbacks,participants said they would choose marriage rather than celibacy due to instrumental and emotional needs. Results differed by gender.