The transitional phase of mate selection in East Asian countries

Abstract

This study challenges the orthodox concept of mate selection. Existing research presupposes the binary conceptualization of ‘arranged marriage versus love marriage,’ which is too limited in scope to grasp the reality of transition in mate selection. An alternative model is proposed in this study and is applied to data from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Analyses suggest that a considerable number of cases cannot be described as either ‘traditional’ or ‘love’ marriages; these are considered transitional cases. In some cases, the couple’s first meeting is initiated by free will but with strong parental intervention regarding the decision to marry. In other cases, the first meeting is arranged by parents or kin, but the couple maintains free will. Three countries share basic trends regarding the shift between the types of mate selection, and an analysis shows that national differences regarding certain factors also explain the shift.