Do people prioritize different spouse qualities for sons and daughters?
Last reviewed:
Direct answer
Some Pakistani studies report gender differences in preferred traits, reflecting expectations around earning, caregiving, age, appearance and family roles. The direction and size vary by study, and most available samples are regional, student-based or limited to one sex. There is no nationally representative parent survey that ranks qualities separately for sons and daughters. It is therefore reasonable to say gendered priorities exist in some settings, but not to assign a national percentage or assume every family applies the same standards. Education and urban experience may also reshape these expectations.
Sources used
Mate selection preferences among university students in Pakistan
Science International
A limited private-university study of desired spouse traits; findings cannot be generalized to all Pakistanis.View sourceEducation and mate-selection agency among educated women in Malakand Division
PubMed-indexed research
Mixed-method regional study using 30 interviews and a questionnaire completed by 500 educated women.View source