Emerging Adult\u27s Marriage Expectations: The Influence of a Relationshipâ??s Type of Love or an Individualâ??s Gender Role

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to investigate the potential correlations between emerging adults\u27 marriage expectations and (1) the relationships\u27 type of love and (2) their individual gender role at a Midwestern University in the United States. A total of 342 students, ages 18 to 25, who were in a close relationship completed an online survey. Data were analyzed using Cronbach\u27s alpha, descriptive analysis, and chi-square test of independence. The results revealed, emerging adults with idealistic-unrealistic marriage expectations were more likely to rate their relationship highly for intimacy, passion, and commitment, resulting in the consummate type of love, compared to only about half of those with realistic marriage expectations. Additionally, those with idealistic-unrealistic marriage expectations were more likely to be androgynous, while realistic marriage expectations were more likely to be undifferentiated. Such information could possibly assist in establishing guidelines for counseling interventions and premarital education courses. Sociologists might also be interested in any evidence of changing social trends regarding marriage