Making up one fs mind to marry or have children: Results of a questionnaire survey in Japan

This paper is based on a questionnaire survey that examined gender differences with respect to forthcoming marriage, and to expected child birth. The following major results were identified: ‡@ Life satisfaction and subjective well-being were higher among people who planned to get married, as compared with the control group of unmarried individuals, or individuals with no marriage plans. A similar pattern was observed among individuals who expected a child, though the increase was less pronounced compared with the effect of marriage. ‡A In the case of forthcoming marriage, the vast majority of men were full-time workers, and the share was not affected by marriage. For women, the share was lower (at 73%), but similarly to men, the share did not change much by marriage. ‡B In prospective marriage, it was common to have favorite views about partner fs personality, as compared with the control group. However, no clear difference could be identified in the perception of partner fs personality in the case of prospective birth. ‡C Both marriage and childbirth did not lead to increased stress, while the degree of depression was lower compared with respective control groups. ‡D In couples, there was a tendency to choose a partner with a similar body type. ‡E For woman, the younger they were, the more likely they married men with higher income. For men, the younger they were, and with higher education level and income, the more likely they were to marry women with a matched hobby.