Examining the Relationship between Cultural Globalization and Marriage Spaces: The Mediating Role of Modern Identity

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of writing this article was to investigate the relationship between cultural globalization and marriage spaces, relying on the mediating role of modern identity. Methods: The research type was descriptive and survey methodology was used. The total sample size consisted of 271 students of Al-Zahra University (S) who were married between the years 2020 and 2023, and this number was able to fill out the Mirzaei’s (2021) Cultural Globalization and the Kianpour et al. (2015) and Afsharian (2021) Modern Identity Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted using SPSS and AMOS softwares. Results: In terms of effecting the dimensions of the dependent variable (spouse selection spaces), the highest rate was related to the relationship between individualism and the unsupervised spousal selection space (0.77); this means that the higher the level of individualism, the higher the number of unsupervised marriages and vice versa. The lowest level of correlation was also seen between the variables of using Iranian music and the atmosphere of passive supervision in choosing a spouse (0.16). Also, relying on the Sobel test, it was determined that the value of this statistic in all variables is greater than ±1.96, and this means that the modern identity variable has played a significant mediating role in the relationship between cultural globalization and spouse selection spaces. Conclusion: Considering the limitless expansion of communication and the internet and virtual space that is accessible to everyone, the religious-traditional fabric of Iranian society, as well as the decrease in the marriage rate and the increase in the divorce rate in the current era, it seems that the authorities should adopt appropriate policies and providing basic and important schemas by experts and university professors is more and more able to return the atmosphere of marriage and choosing a spouse to the past and its traditional state and also to overcome such alarming statistics related to the categories of marriage and divorce. In other words, it is necessary to think of measures to pay attention to the rich traditional culture so that the identity of Iranians does not suffer from contradictions and conflicts.