نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
Over the past few decades, the age at first marriage among young people has increased, and recent evidence suggests a rise in interactions with the opposite sex among youth. Studying the desire to marry is important because any change in the desire to marry is can affect fertility behavior. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between opposite-sex interaction experience and the desire to marry among single men in Tehran. The theoretical framework draws upon modernization theory, social action theory, social capital theory, social exchange theory, and rational choice theory. Data were collected through a survey utilizing a researcher-designed questionnaire. The statistical population consisted of single (never-married) men aged 18–49 residing across the 22 districts of Tehran. The sample size, estimated using Cochran’s formula, included 384 individuals. Sampling was conducted through a combination of multistage stratified and simple random methods. Findings showed that opposite-sex interaction experience, religiosity, social media use, trust in the opposite sex, desire for variety, employment status, and age were, respectively, the strongest predictors of desire to marry among single men. A noteworthy finding was the mediating role of opposite-sex interaction experience. This variable was influenced by religiosity and social media use, while it also affected trust in the opposite sex and the desire for variety, which ultimately influenced desirt for marriage. Based on the findings, it is recommended to emphasize media literacy education, enhance the economic empowerment of youth, revise approaches to religious upbringing, institutionalize spiritual beliefs and values among the younger generation, and increase awareness regarding the effects of interactions with the opposite sex on spouse selection.
کلیدواژهها English
