Who’s searching for whom on matrimonial websites
Data from matrimonial listings posted on website BharatMatrimony.com shows, gender customs and stereotypes run deep in Indian society
When Indhuja Pillai, a 24-year-old engineer in Bengaluru, set up a webpage to detail what she would like in a spouse, she was echoing what many women, even some men, would like to say, but do not in the orthodox construct of Indian society. As this data from matrimonial listings posted on website BharatMatrimony.com by men and women living in seven of India’s most cosmopolitan cities shows, gender customs and stereotypes run deep in Indian society.
Age difference
About 85% of men looked at profiles of women younger to them. In contrast, a similar percentage of women looked at profiles of men older to them. And this was true across all seven cities.
Caste
Marrying in their own caste mattered for more than half of the respondents. Of the seven cities, Kolkata was the most liberal: 59% of men and 53% of women looked at profiles of people outside their caste. People from Hyderabad looked at profiles outside their caste the least.
Education
A high percentage of men with higher-education degrees are looking at profiles of women less educated than them. And a high percentage of women are looking at profiles of men more educated than them.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!