‘Meri Marzi’! Why More Indian Women are taking Time to say, I do?

Shristy sinha | Feb 28, 2025, 08:34 IST
A working woman
Indian women are increasingly delaying marriage to focus on education, career development, and gaining financial independence. Changing attitudes toward marriage, influenced by Western cultures and feminism, emphasize personal choice and compatibility, with a growing number of women questioning traditional societal expectations. Know why the age of marriage is getting more and more extended by women in India.

Since ages, the lives of women in India have been shaped by cultural and societal expectations.

Women have been taken as a liability in the family which needs to be completed as soon as possible. Family took the responsibility of finding a perfect earning man for her who will then take her liability. But enough of being this liability on others, women are now willing to take their life’s liability and responsibility. And for this, women are taking their time to say I do. Here are some of the major reasons for which women are delaying marriage.

1. Age is Just a number, career is what matters

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A girl studying

One of the primary reasons Indian women are delaying marriage is their increasing focus on education and career development. Earlier women in India used to get married at an early stage of life but time has changed and with time women are also transformed into a whole new version. Over the past few decades, there has been a significant rise in female literacy rates in India. Women are now not only enrolling in schools and colleges in greater numbers but are also pursuing higher education, professional degrees, and careers in diverse fields.

They now need equal freedom and respect in society. Women in today’s time are showcasing their talent in every field. They want to build a reputed and secured career. They have dreams and fulfilling them is more necessary.

Moreover, with the growing acceptance of women in various fields such as business, engineering, medicine, politics, and academia, they have access to a broader range of opportunities that were previously unavailable to them. The pursuit of a career often comes with the need for geographical mobility, long working hours, and commitment, which may not align well with the traditional expectations of marriage.

2. To gain Freedom and Economic Independence

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A working woman

For women in India freedom in India is equal to Independence and especially financial independence. This makes women valued in the family, her views, her thoughts and decisions are looked for as she is also one the person who is taking the responsibility of the family. And for becoming financially independent more and more women are taking their time to become successful in their careers.

Furthermore, many women are now able to support themselves and their families, reducing the financial pressure to marry early. With greater financial freedom, women are empowered to focus on their aspirations and explore different life paths without the societal expectation of marriage looming over them.

3. Finding a Compatible, Perfect Partner

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Holding Hands

Women now have lots of expectations from their life and life partner. They look for a person who can fit their lifestyle and work. They look for a more supportive and understanding partner rather than an overachieving and well earning husband. They don’t want a commitment so fast which can’t let them live their life the way they want.

And to find these kinds of men are still not so easy in India where parents don't even let their son enter the kitchen. In case if the husband is found understanding the in laws don't let him become a compatible partner as per his wife's needs. That's why women are now taking their time to be tied into the bond of marriage in hope of finding a man and family that where she can live happily.

4. No more Gender roles and Impact of Feminism

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Husband Chopping Vegetables

Women are now taking financial responsibility and becoming providers of the family, but in spite of this women are still forced to also work at home doing all the chores alone. They take financial responsibility, feeding and serving the family as well as raising the kids. So, all these burdens are becoming too much for women to opt for either a husband who can work equally at home or to live a single life.

Also, feminism has played a crucial role in changing the way Indian women approach marriage. The feminist movement in India has raised awareness about issues such as gender equality, sexual rights, reproductive rights, and the importance of women’s autonomy. Feminism has empowered women to question traditional norms and assert their right to make decisions about their bodies, careers, and personal lives.

5. Westernization and Shift in Cultural Patterns

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Woman with Globe

The influence of globalization and the increasing exposure to Western cultures have also contributed to the changing attitudes toward marriage in India. Western cultures often emphasize individualism, personal choice, and self-fulfillment, which resonate with many women. With access to global media, travel, and education, Indian women are exposed to a range of perspectives on relationships and marriage. They are no longer bound by traditional ideals but are more likely to adopt a more progressive view of marriage that allows them to maintain their independence.

In India the concept and culture of marriage and family structure has been impacted from the western countries. Similarly, this has also impacted the life choices and relationship choices of women in India. Women now don’t feel necessary to tie the bond of marriage, rather they prefer being in a live-in relationship which can provide them enough freedom in their life. Women now also opt for a single life.

6. Changing Attitudes Toward Marriage

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Woman on online Date

The perception of marriage itself is evolving in India. In the past, marriage was seen as the ultimate goal of a woman’s life, often overshadowing other aspects of her identity. However, the concept of marriage is now being questioned by a growing number of women who are choosing to delay or forgo it altogether.

For many women, marriage is no longer viewed as a societal duty but as a personal choice. They are more likely to marry when they find the right partner, rather than adhering to a predetermined timeline. This shift in perspective is partly due to the influence of Western culture, where marriage is seen more as an individual decision based on love, compatibility, and mutual respect rather than a cultural or social obligation.

With changing attitudes, women are also increasingly seeking partners who are emotionally and intellectually compatible with them, rather than marrying out of social pressure. The rise of dating apps and social media has given women more freedom to interact with potential partners, explore relationships on their own terms, and decide if and when they want to settle down.

But with all these there's rising another challenge for women that is their biological clock. Work pressure, rough lifestyle is aging their reproductive system sooner than usual. and then marrying late is making it difficult for couples to start their own family. But ultimately, it's her life and it will be her choice whatever she wants in her life or not. So, Women in India have learnt to say "Meri Marzi".





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