The meaning of marriage: An exploratory study of why women choose to marry

摘要

One hundred women who desired marriage completed self-report questionnaires assessing reasons why they wished to marry, the strength of their desire for marriage, and the levels of meaning in their lives. Reasons why women desired marriage fell into 14 categories including: Companionship, Children and Family, Emotional Support/Security, Commitment, Love, The Wedding Celebration, Financial Support, Growing Old with Someone, Sex, Personal Growth, To Fulfill life, To emulate parents, and To fulfill a fantasy. Categories were examined and sorted into one of the three "Components of Love" described by Robert Sternberg (1998). A preliminary Desire for Marriage Scale was created and a negative correlation was found between women's desire for marriage and the level of meaning that they attached to achievement. A positive relationship was found between women's desire for marriage and the degree of meaning religion brought into their lives. Theoretical, empirical, and practical implications are discussed.