With greater access to higher education, increasing financial independence, and changing social expectations, older Gen Z girls across Keralam view marriage only as one among several life choices.
Be it in urban and semi-urban spaces, for many the hesitation is not about rejecting marriage entirely, but questioning its terms. “Marriage is not something I am against, but it is not something I am planning right now either,” says Anjana Nair, 26, a marketing professional in Kochi.
“I want to build a life for myself first. Marriage has to fit into my life, not the other way around,” she says.
Anugraha Rajeev, 22, a B.Ed. Student, says she wants to get married, but has concerns about trust and emotional compatibility. “ I would rather remain happily unmarried than unhappily married,” she says.
Others emphasise the need for equal partnerships. “I have seen women give up careers or constantly adjust. I do not want that kind of life. If I marry, it has to be a partnership, not a compromise” says Safa Naseer, 24, a postgraduate student in Malappuram.
Some girls are choosing to opt out altogether. “I do not see marriage as necessary for a fulfilled life,” says Devika Sreejith, 29, an IT professional. “Companionship does not have to come with legal or social labels,” she adds.
Ardra Krishnan, 27, a research scholar at the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) says there is definitely pressure to get married. “ Every family function comes with questions. But I would rather face that now than make a decision I might regret.” she says.
Sociologists say the shift is most visible among educated, working women. “Financial independence has fundamentally altered the power dynamics around marriage. When women are not economically dependent, marriage becomes a choice rather than a necessity.” says Anitha Rajeev, a sociology professor in Thrissur.
Alfred Samuel, a sociologist in Wayanad, says that “What we are seeing is not a rejection of marriage, but a redefinition of it. For many women, marriage is no longer viewed as a social obligation but as a relationship that must meet certain expectations of equality, respect, and emotional compatibility. If those conditions are not met, there is a greater willingness to delay or opt out.”
Speaking to The Hindu,P. Sathidevi, chairperson of the Kerala Women’s Commission states that rising cases of marital violence and dowry-related deaths are key reasons for women’s reluctance to marry. “Educated women are increasingly choosing partners on their own terms and prioritising financial independence before marriage,” she added.
However, Ms. Sathidevi, maintains that “compared to other States, more women in Kerala prefer to marry only after achieving economic stability.”
(The writer Archana Lakshmy is an intern with The Hindu)
Published – September 18, 2026 11:40 am IST
