Gender differences in motivation for choosing a long-term partner among young men and women today
Introduction. The factors motivating young men and women today to choose a partner for a long-term relationship, which helps to identify the specific nature of gender differences in the structure of romantic relationships. Despite a considerable number of studies devoted to motivation for partner choice and marital and family attitudes among young people, gender differences in motivation for choosing a partner specifically within long-term relationships remain insufficiently studied. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence of gender differences in the motivation to choose a long-term partner among young men and women today. This will deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying marital and family attitudes in young people, and expand the scientific basis for further psychological research into the gender-specific motivations behind choosing a partner. Materials and methods. The study is based on the use of a set of theoretical (analysis, synthesis, generalization, comparison) and empirical (psychodiagnostic testing, mathematical and statistical processing of the results) methods. The study sample consisted of students of Belgorod Pedagogical College (N = 183, including 24.50% boys; 76.50% girls) and students of Belgorod National Research University (N = 117, including 83.77% boys; 16.23% girls) aged 17 to 21 years. Results of the study and their discussion. It was established that emotional and personal motives related to love, affection, shared interests, and the desire for a stable relationship play a leading role in motivating both young men and women when choosing a partner. Young women are more motivated by the avoidance of failure and a focus on emotional security, while young men are more motivated by the pursuit of success, social normative motives, and the influence of external expectations. Young men were also found to be more motivated by the desire to be like everyone else, being the right age, following traditions, being influenced by their partner's wishes, meeting the expectations of loved ones, resolving household problems, and having a commitment to their partner. Young women prioritize the presence of a living space with their partner, reflecting their focus on predictability, stability, and material security as prerequisites for a secure, long-term relationship. The findings indicate that the choice of a partner for a long-term relationship among modern young men and women is determined not only by personal preferences but also by social expectations, perceptions of family roles, and the level of subjective readiness for a stable relationship. Conclusion. The findings confirm the multicomponent nature of partner selection motivation and demonstrate that gender differences are primarily manifested in the degree of expression and hierarchy of motives.
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This article is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Belgorod National Research University and its long-standing tradition of researching the psychological and pedagogical mechanisms of personality development, advanced educational practices, and the integration of science, education, and upbringing.