The attitude of college students in Tehran towards the effect of premarital heterosexual relationships on marital satisfaction

Some recent scientific evidence in Iran shows recent increasing trend of premarital heterosexual relationships among youth and a common myth with regard to positive effects of such relationships on marital quality is seen as well. This paper aims to assess the attitudes of college students towards the effect of these relationships on marital satisfaction using theoretical perspective of second demographic transition. This paper is based on survey data of 2031 college students aged 18-40 years from among seven universities (both private and government) in Tehran. The sample was selected using stratified cluster sampling in two stages, during December and January 2010 and June 2011. The results of this study showed that approximately 43% of college students were on the belief that premarital heterosexual relationships will lead to lower marital satisfaction among couples and one third were uncertain (33%). Greater percentages (58%) held the belief that premarital progressive (sexual) relationship will be connected with reduction of marital satisfaction and less proportion had doubt (28%) and the rest were opposed (14%). Linear regression model showed that youth with modern, liberal and irreligious family, those with less religious conviction, and with favorable attitudes towards such relations, those whose peers endorse such relationships, those who had ever smoked and used alcoholic drinks, and finally those who were wealthier, compared to others were on the belief that such relationships have positive effects on marriage and quality of marriage. This study showed that a great proportion of college students, specially unmarried students had doubt on the effect of such relationships on the quality of marital relationships after marriage and a significant proportion of women, experience such relationships with marital intention and are on the belief that such relationships lead to a better partners selection for marriage and better quality of marriage, while existing literature both within and outside the country showed the reverse. These results can have important implications in assessing transformation of family and marriage in Iran.