[A study on the local marriage network in Korea].

Abstract

Place of residence has traditionally been an important factor in Korea in mate selection. This study examines the local marriage network in Korean society, its variation by year of marriage, and general characteristics of the married women. Data are drawn from the 1986 national sample survey on the family life cycle implemented by the Korea Institute for Population and Health. Questionnaires were administered to 3013 wives aged 15-64. Major study findings follow. 1) The local marriage rate within the same region by birthplace is strikingly high in Kyongsangdo and Chonla-do. Local marriage rates are 79.5% in both of these regions, 33.5% in Seoul, 35.2% in Busan, 50% in Kyonggi-do, 48.1% in Kangwon-do, and 60.7% in Chungchung-do. 2) The local marriage rate within the same county or the same city be residence before marriage has rapidly been declining in rural areas since 1960. This is largely due to industrialization, urbanization, and better transportation. The marriage rate in rural areas was 62% among marriages in the 1940s, 47.1% in the 1960s, 43% in the 1980s, and 70.9%, 88.4%, and 70.7% respectively in urban areas. 3) The proportion of local marriages within the same city or county is 55.1% among arranged marriages and 72.3% among romantic marriages. 4) Pre-marital employment seems to have some effects on the extent of mate-selection. Wives who worked before marriage were more likely to marry men in the same city or county. The local marriage rate within the same city or county is 63.2% among wives with work experience, and 58.5% among wives without work experience. 5) The more educated the woman, the higher the local marriage rate within the same city or county. 56.6% of those who attended middle school married men in the same city or county as theirs, 61.4% of wives with a high school education, and 76.6% of wives with college or more education. 63.8% of wives who never attended school married men in the same city or county. In summary, restrictions on marriage between couples of different status has been diminishing due to introduction of democratic thought based on freedom and equality; the marriage network has also narrowed due to industrialization, urbanization, migration, and women's higher educational attainment.