Parents’ attitudes to their children’s partner choice: a century of change

Abstract

The influence of family on children’s partner choice has been declining since the beginning of the 20th century, leading first to more frequent parental disagreement from 1920 to 1970, then to growing tolerance. Love marriage has risen, and mutual attraction has taken precedence over social status. Partner searches have expanded outside the neighbourhood and family sphere, and parents have become increasingly tolerant of partners from other social backgrounds.