Online Dating, Gender Role Beliefs, and Marriage Intentions Among Young Adults
Sanya Singh
Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
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http://doi.org/10.37648/ijps.v21i01.012
Abstract
Young adults have been forming relationships in new ways over the past several years, including finding partners online and changing beliefs about gender roles. Although marriage continues to hold cultural and emotional salience, at least in India, young adults are approaching marriage differently. The present study sought to examine young adults’ attitudes towards online dating, beliefs about gender roles, and intentions to marry, and asked whether positive attitudes toward online dating and egalitarian gender role beliefs were associated with stronger marriage intentions. Collection of self-reports of attitudes toward online dating, beliefs about gender roles, and intentions to marry using standardized measures from a sample of young adults who regularly use online dating websites. Results revealed that individuals with positive attitudes towards online dating also reported greater intentions to marry. Similarly, individuals with more egalitarian beliefs about gender roles had more positive attitudes towards marriage. These results suggest that the relationships young adults are having, and their changing ideals about equality, may influence how they perceive long term commitment. The study highlights how young adults are not turning away from marriage but are instead approaching it with greater awareness, personal choice, and changing expectations. In the Indian cultural context, where tradition and modern influences often coexist, these findings reflect an ongoing shift in how relationships are understood and valued. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of how technological and social changes are influencing young adults’ perspectives on marriage and commitment
Keywords:
Online Dating; Gender Role Beliefs; Marriage Intentions; Young Adults; Egalitarian Beliefs; Relationship Attitudes; India
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