Do High-Earning Indian Women Struggle in the Marriage Market?

With changing dynamics, women in India are making great progress in their careers, gaining financial independence, and breaking away from traditional gender roles. However, a recent post on Reddit by r/AskIndianWomen has raised a serious question: "Do high-earning women find it difficult to find a suitable partner in arranged marriages?" 

Sharing the experience of their sister, who earns a substantial ₹40 lakh per annum, a Reddit user detailed how their family was struggling to find a suitable partner for their sister's arranged marriage. Take a look at the Reddit Post here:

The 'Simple Girl' Stereotype

On speaking with multiple prospective grooms, the Reddit user shared that one of the prospective grooms' families told her that they prefer a 'simpler girl'. The term 'Simpler Girl' is often used to describe women who are perceived as more traditional and less assertive, or rather, women who are easier to 'control'. 

This sentiment is not isolated. A study by Diva Dhar, a doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford, found that women employed in 'masculine' occupations, such as technical supervisors, received 3% fewer responses from male suitors compared to those employed in 'feminine' roles like school teachers. 

Moreover, women who expressed a desire to continue working after marriage faced even fewer responses, indicating a preference for partners who can conform to traditional gender roles.

The Unequal Marriage Market

This preference for 'simpler' women is even backed by data. Research indicates that working women receive nearly 15% fewer responses from male suitors as compared to their non-working counterparts. This bias persists across various education levels and is more pronounced among men from higher castes and northern regions of India, where traditional gender norms are more deeply entrenched.

This disparity also highlights the societal preference for women who are perceived as more domestically inclined and less career-focused.

The Path Forward

The struggles faced by high-earning women in finding suitable partners highlight the need for a shift in societal attitudes. It's essential to recognise that financial independence and career aspirations are not threats to relationships but are indicative of a woman's ambition and capability.

Encouragingly, some studies suggest that as men's incomes rise, they become more open to partners who are also financially independent. This shift could pave the way for more equitable partnerships in the future.

In conclusion, while the journey towards equality in relationships is ongoing, these discussions, like the one on Reddit, are highly crucial. They highlight the biases that persist and encourage a reevaluation of what constitutes a 'suitable' partner in modern India. 

Views expressed by the author are their own.