An Exploratory Study on Gender Differences in Marital Preparation Skills of College Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to highlight the importance of ``marital preparation skill`` by focusing on more substantial and tangible skills in marriage life, and to conduct an exploratory research to examine the current conditions and gender differences in marital preparation skills of college students. Data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire in four universities located in Seoul and Gyeong-gi areas in the spring of 2013, and a total of 332 senior students chosen were used for data analysis. Based on the instrument used in Olson & Olson`s(2000) PREPARE/ ENRICH Program, the present study sought to suggest a measurement tool with the moniker of ``marital preparation skill`` that included seven domains: conflict resolution skill, sexual relationship skill, household labor skill, financial management skill, leisure management skill, parenting preparation skill, and parental role skill. Each domain consisted of four items and thus, a total of 28 items were utilized for this study. Descriptive statistics were analyzed in order to examine the degree of marital preparation skills, and t-tests were conducted in order to assess the gender differences in marital preparation skills. The main results of this study are as follows: First, overall the degree of marital preparation skills of male students was higher than that of female students. Particularly, female students were lower than male students in the skills of financial management and conflict resolution. Second, regarding the basic household labor skill related to clothing and housing life, male students showed higher than female students, implying the impact of military life. Third, even though the degree of consciousness about appropriate preparation of parenthood and parental role seemed to be heightened, the actual degree of readiness of college students revealed to be insufficient. Male students had a much higher degree of confidence and sacrifice acceptance about parenthood, and understanding about their parents`` child-rearing style than female students, while the mindset of child-rearing participation of male students was lower than that of female students. Findings of this study can be used as basic data for developing more effective and differentiated educational programs of marital preparation skills for men and women.