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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, MODERN MANAGEMENT, APPLIED SCIENCE & SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJEMMASSS) [ Vol. 8 | No. 2 (II) | April - June, 2026 ]

Changing Patterns of Partner Selection among Educated Youth in Rajasthan: Negotiating Tradition and Individual Choice

Dr. Anita Jyani & Dr. Jyoti Shukla

In India, marriage is generally regulated by families, castes, religions, and kinship and the selection of spouses continues to be the responsibility of parents. But fast-growing education, urbanization, economic development, and growing access to new communication media has greatly affected the way young people think about marriage and their spouses. This study explores the trends in spouse selection by educated youth in Rajasthan, considering the following criteria: age of marriage, educational qualifications of potential partners, occupational aspects, role of parents, individual choice, and views on inter-caste and inter-religion marriages. This research uses primary data collected from 300 educated respondents using an interview schedule. It is found that education has greatly helped youth play active roles in the process of choosing marriage partners while respecting the role of parents and families. Education has brought more preference for the educational compatibility, occupational stability, and understanding as important elements of good marriages. While there is an acceptance of marriages outside of one’s own caste and religion compared to prior generations, the traditions associated with caste, religion, and the family’s prestige still play a role in the process of marriage. This research is not an example of moving from an arranged marriage to complete autonomy but of a model of mate selection that involves a compromise between personal desires and group-based family interests. This research has implications for sociological research related to marriage and family changes in light of modernization, particularly the role of education in changing mate selection processes.

Jyani, A. & Shukla, J. (2026). Changing Patterns of Partner Selection among Educated Youth in Rajasthan: Negotiating Tradition and Individual Choice. International Journal of Education, Modern Management, Applied Science & Social Science, 08(02(II)), 176–184. https://doi.org/10.62823/IJEMMASSS/8.2(II).9115
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DOI:

Article DOI: 10.62823/IJEMMASSS/8.2(II).9115

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.62823/IJEMMASSS/8.2(II).9115

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