The postponement of marriage from the perspectives of young educated women.

• Main Author: Cheong, Cai Ping.
• Other Authors: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Family, marriage and women; DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/51631
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

While the government rolls out policies to address the increasing trend of delaying marriage and declining fertility, it has not been successful. Particularly, scholars postulated that attitudes of young adults towards marriage are key factors leading to such trend. This paper builds on previous research about attitudes towards marriage to better understand the trends in delaying marriage in Singapore. Specifically, it focuses on young Chinese educated women because singlehood rates are the highest among them. Two possible variables affecting the delay in marriage will be examined. What are the expectations of young educated women on marriage? Do they prioritise marriage as less important than education and career? Using the Second Demographic Transition framework, it was found that while respondents value self-fulfilment, traditional familial values and gender roles are not rejected. Next, while respondents desire marriage, they prioritize career and financial stability before marriage. Other factors were also posited for the postponement of marriage. My respondents have decided: for now, marriage can wait.