The right of the young woman to choose her life partner
Γhe field study showed that 56 per cent of the total sample agreed that a young woman had the right to choose her husband (Table 1.7), while 16 per cent agreed with this on condition that the final decision should be down to her parents.
The percentage of those supporting this right was higher in urban areas (14 per cent of males, 32.5 per cent of females) than in rural areas. It was also higher among women than men.Respondents gave the following reasons for their agreement to the principle of the woman’s right to choose her partner, in order of significance: first, that since it is she who is going to live with her partner, she should have the right to choose him; second, she knows the person proposing to her better than anybody
Table 1.7 Opinion on the young woman having the right to choose her life partner (% of sample)
| Opinion | Male Female Rural Urban Total Rural Urban Total |
| Agree Disagree Agree with condition No details | 3∙5 14 U∙5 6 32∙5 38∙5 θ∙5 θ 12.5 5.5 5 10.5 2 5 7 3 6 9 213 1∙5 o∙5 2 |
else, so she is more capable of making the judgement; and third, religion gives her this right.
Respondents who did not agree that a young woman had the right to choose her own partner gave as reasons the following: that a young woman is immature and so her parents should manage this matter for her, since they are more able to judge by reason of age and experience and their knowledge of what is in her best interests; and that the decisions of young women are based on emotions rather than reason.