Kuruvadi Umamani

Mate Selection and Age at Marriage Among Rural Females: a Study of the Vokkaliga Community in Karnataka Kuruvadi Umamani

The main focus in the study of age at marriage stems from the fact that marriage marks the entry of women into her reproductive cycle. There is close relationship between age at marriage and fertility. Selection of the mate is an important preliminary step before the performance of marriage. If the characteristics of the bridegroom which includes characteristics like economic status, tastes, education, physical appearance, independent residence are considered in the mate selection, the selection process can be lengthy and thus raise the age at marriage. Keeping these factors in mind, the present study attempts to look at marriage as an out come of age at entry for search and duration of search for mate selection. Marriage timing and mate selection are ultimate outcomes of family and household decision making processes. Structural and cultural context within which such decisions take place are more important. This study examines the factors that play a role in influencing the age at marriage of women in the context of changing rural scene.