Authoritarianism and arranged marriage in Bangladesh and Korea

The relationships between authoritarianism and attitudes about arranged marriage were studied in Bangladesh and Korea. According to regression analyses (N = 417), authoritarianism was positively related to support for arranged marriages in closed-ended and open-ended responses. Authoritarianism was also negatively related to open-ended discussions about the importance of love in selecting a partner and in the importance of emotional connection in establishing a relationship. Replicating prior results from the US on women, authoritarianism was related to desires to marry individuals who were gender-typed, traditional, and with narrow interests. Despite some differences in patterns of relationships due to gender and country of origin, the findings support the general hypothesis that authoritarians are invested in maintaining the traditions of their culture.

► Authoritarianism was positively related to support for arranged marriage in Bangladesh and Korea.
► Authoritarianism was negatively related to the importance of love in a close relationship.
► Authoritarian men desired feminine women while authoritarian women desired masculine men.
► Although gender and country differences exist, authoritarians seem invested in tradition.