Influence of Religion and Residence on Marriage Attitudes among Postgraduate Male Students
Author : Dr. Sachin Y Jadhav
Abstract :
The present study investigates the influence of religion and area of residence on marriage attitudes among post-graduate male students in Marathwada region. Marriage attitude, defined as an individual’s positive or negative evaluation of marriage, is a vital construct reflecting cultural values, religious beliefs, and modernization effects. In a society characterized by rich cultural and religious diversity, understanding how these factors shape young adults’ marital perspectives offers valuable insight into changing social norms. A 2×2 factorial design was employed, with Religion (Hindu vs. Muslim) and Area of Residence (Urban vs. Rural) as independent variables and Marriage Attitude as the dependent variable. The sample comprised 140 unmarried male post-graduate students aged 21–24 years, selected through random sampling from educational institutions in Marathwada region, Maharashtra. The Marriage Attitude Scale (MAS) by Pramod Kumar was used for data collection, and results were analyzed using Two-Way ANOVA. Findings revealed a significant main effect of religion (F = 5.12, p < .01), showing that Hindu students held more positive attitudes toward marriage than Muslim students. A significant main effect of area of residence (F = 7.68, p < .01) indicated that urban students had more favorable marriage attitudes than rural students. However, the interaction effect between religion and area was non-significant (F = 2.32, p > .05), suggesting independent influences. The study concludes that both religion and socio-environmental background independently shape marriage attitudes, reflecting the intersection of traditional values and modern ideologies among Indian youth.
Keywords :
Marriage attitude, religion, urban–rural background, cultural diversity, Indian youth.
