A Study of the Effects of Rapid Population Growth on "Marriage Shortage" and Singleness among Girls

The increase in marriage age and singleness, especially among girls, has been one of the obvious demographic changes in Iran since 1370 (1991). This problem has led to some structural changes, especially in the cultural and social areas; a problem which necessitates analysis and elaboration on this issue. Using an analytical method and existing figures, statistics and studies, the present paper seeks to make explicit some of the causes of the emergence of "marriage shortage" and singleness among girls, and explain some of their most important effects. The research findings show that inclination towards economic independence, pressure to enter university and labor market, weakness of moral commitment in the family relations, prevalence of unconventional relations, inclination towards crime and drug abuse, lack of identity and mental disorders can be regarded as possible outcomes of singleness among girls. Finally, the paper provides some suggestions and modus operands to decrease the bad effects of this problem.