Why do people get married? Quite contrary to what books, films,songs, and TV dramas tell us, anthropologists recognize that loveand sexual attraction are not the key reasons most people getmarried, either in the United States or in other countries.
What other factors are considered important when individualsdecide to get married and which of these, or combination of these,are crucial in determining the long term success of marriage? Whichqualities would you personally look for in a marriage partner (orif you are married, what did you look for)? Would you becomfortable with someone else selecting your marriage partner foryou rather than doing so yourself? What factors might contribute todeciding to never marry and would there be any negativeconsequences to remaining permanently unmarried in yourculture/society?
