College Women's Rankings of the Most Undesirable Marriage and Family Forms

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate college women's were unwillingness to participate in 24 alternative marital and family forms. Data were collected through the use of anonymous questionnaires distributed in classes. The analysis revealed "One man married to two or more wives" (95.1%), "Man has "right" to sex outside of marriage" (94.2%)," "Group marriage" (91.3%) and "Woman has "right" to sex outside of marriage" (91.3%) were the most undesirable forms of marriage. Even the most "undesirable" forms of marriage had individuals who were willing to participate in them. This study confirms that among college age women, the expectations of what is considered an abnormal or undesirable form of marriage is more vague and flexible than assumed. (Contains 1 table.)