Abstract

Pakistan has been continuously showing the imperative role of parents in spouse selection. The practice of consanguineous marriages recognized in Pakistani society because of its social, cultural, and economic significance. However, the changing social trends have also been witnessed in Pakistani society. The present study anticipates how social change affects the choice of a life partner, something which ultimately reflects the transition in marriage. This research was carried out with a sample size of 300 that encompassed educated youth (both males and females) and their parents. The research aimed to find out the criteria gap based on higher education and the demand for privacy in social life. The findings demonstrated that educated youth is more concerned for the higher education of potential mates and the need for privacy in their social life after marriage as compared to their parents. The results exhibited the change in the criteria of spouse selection, linked with the prevalence of modern aspects in society. The educated youth according to the findings of the research demanded a life partner with higher educational status as the education enables a spouse to better understand the changing social happenings and give space to each other.

Key words: Spouse Selection, Transition, Higher Education, Space in Relationship, Privacy for Social Life