XN000022-1981-10-04 — Page 3

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1981

+THIS APPLIES IN PARTICULAR TO A PRE-MARITAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE INTENDING TO MARRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT, EXTRA-MARITAL SEX+, THE REPORT SAYS.

WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL EXPECTATIONS IN MARRIAGE, MOST EXPECT IT TO SATISFY THE NEEDS OF THE IR SPOUSE. THE IR OWN NEEDS AND TO MAINTAIN HUSBAND-WIFE RELATIONSHIP. HOWEVER, A PERCENTAGE OF THEM DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SEX IN MARRIAGE.

THE STUDY INDICATES THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION STILL REGARD A LEGAL MARRIED LIFE AS THE NATURAL WAY TO SEEK FULFILMENT IN A LOVING RELATIONSHIP.

IN THIS RESPECT, THEY TEND TO OVERLOOK MANY DIFFICULTIES AND ADJUSTMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH MARRIAGE.

ON THE CHOICE OF THE OPTIMAL AGE TO GET MARRIED AND ON THE DURATION OF COURTSHIP, MOST OF THE RESPONDENTS REALISE THAT SUFFICIENT TIME IS REQUIRED TO BECOME PSYCHOLOGICALLY MATURE AS WELL AS TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW EACH OTHER. IT IS ALSO ENCOURAGING TO FIND THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITIES SOUGHT AFTER IN CHOOSING A PROSPECTIVE SPOUSE ARE PERSONALITY AND HEALTH AND THAT A MAJORITY WOULD ALSO CONSULT THEIR PARENTS BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION.

ON MARITAL PROBLEMS, THE PREVAILING ATTITUDE IS THAT THEY SHOULD BE TACKLED IN A COOL-HEADED FASHION, FOR EXAMPLE, BY TALKING THINGS OVER.

SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONED FAVOUR DIVORCE AS A LAST RESORT AND A NUMBER OPENLY ADMITTED TO HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN THE IR MARRIAGE.

+ IT IS DISTURBING TO FIND THAT NOT MANY WOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP IN RESOLVING CRISES IN MARRIAGE+, THE REPORT SAYS.

ON ROLE EXPECTATIONS AND DECISION-MAKING, THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION PREFER JOINTLY TO CARRY OUT HOUSEHOLD TASKS AND MAKE DECISIONS ON HOUSEHOLD MATTERS.

THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE WISHES OF THE MAJORITY THAT THE WIFE SHOULD CONTINUE WORKING AFTER MARRIAGE, LENDS SUPPORT TO THE VIEW THAT WOMEN ARE BEING LOOKED UPON AS AN EQUAL PARTNER AT HOME AND IN SOCIETY.

ON IN-LAW RELAT

.NSHIPS, ALTHOUGH THE YOUNGER GENERATION WOULD VIEW THEIR IN-LAWS/PARENTS AS IF THEY WERE THEIR OWN, THEY ARE SOMEWHAT UNCERTAIN WHETHER THEY WISH TO LIVE WITH THEM AFTER MARRIAGE.

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