Signals Exchanged between Potential Spouses in the Saudi Arabian Arranged Marriage Market

Abstract

This article studies the signals exchanged by potential spouses to overcome the uncertainty caused by limited pre-marital contact in the Saudi Arabian arranged marriage market. The article empirically analyses the characteristics that are seen as important in a spouse and the extent and nature of signals exchanged to ensure the partner has the desired characteristics. It was found that men valued the characteristics of honesty, obedience, kindness and caring most highly while women valued honesty, responsibility, caring and faithfulness as the most important. Signals were found to be used extensively in the marriage market. The signals exchanged fall into two categories: signals received directly and signals received through a third-party (e.g. relative). The third-party signals provide an economic explanation of why marriage to a close relative is common in Saudi Arabia, as it is easier to receive signals through a third-party when the spouse is a close relative.