DEMOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITY AND THE MATE SELECTION PROCESS IN INDIA

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Sociology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• India faces a significant sex ratio imbalance, with implications for social structures.
• Understanding factors influencing women's agency in marriage is crucial for gender equality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the sex ratio during women's adolescence and their agency in mate selection.
• To examine the relationship between sex ratio and courtship duration in India.

Main Methods:

• Utilized individual data from the India Human Development Survey (2004-2005).
• Integrated district-level data from the 1991 and 2001 Indian population censuses.
• Employed multilevel models controlling for individual and contextual factors.

Main Results:

• A surplus of potential male mates during late adolescence correlates with decreased women's say in husband selection.
• Exposure to a male surplus increases the likelihood of women meeting their husband for the first time on their wedding day.
• Women's education, cohort, religion, caste, and region are significant correlates of marital agency and courtship duration.

Conclusions:

• The sex ratio imbalance in India may negatively affect women's autonomy in marriage.
• Findings highlight the complex interplay of demographic factors and gender dynamics in mate selection.
• Further research is needed to address the implications of sex ratio imbalances on women's rights and societal norms.