GENDER DIFFERENCES IN READINESS FOR MARRIAGE OF HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of gender differences in readiness for marriage of high school pupils. It systematizes the factors of psychological readiness of young men and women for family life in today’s conditions. Adolescence, as a time of individual’s vital self-determination, is characterized by the experience of various social roles and activities. Psychological readiness for family life includes a stable positive motivation to start a family, the development of personal qualities of the family man, the ability to empathically understand the partner, constructive and self-affirming behavior in marriage.
 Theoretical analysis of the peculiarities of personality formation in adolescence, the specifics of readiness for marriage and family-role expectations of senior school age pupils; methodical bases and methods of research are described. The results of an empirical study of gender differences in marriage readiness of high school pupils, their focus on understanding, emotional attraction and authority in marriage are analyzed.
 It was found that girls are characterized by a strong motivational willingness to start a family, more focused on understanding with a partner and emotional involvement in the relationship. They are clearly aware of the specifics of family responsibilities, their own role in family life, the specifics of the organization of married life. Instead, for boys, the process of exercising authority and taking a dominant position in communication is more important. Girls consider the most important to be the achievement of a common point of view, acceptance from a partner, demonstration to him of acceptance of his position. In the success of family interaction, they pay special attention to emotional interaction and intimacy, manifestations of love and support.
 The boys, on the other hand, strive to realize their authority and dominance in family relations, expect the woman to submit to their position and views, without giving a special role to issues of understanding and emotional inclusion. They have no intrinsic motivational need to start a family. Young people think little about the relationship between family roles, the organization of family life and building a system of support for family life.