By Choi Sung-jin
What would be the biggest stumbling blocks for men and women preparing for marriage in seeking their ideal life partners?
Two marriage information providers, Bien Aller and Only You, asked this question of 502 single people last week. Their answers were somewhat bitter: men cited their economic ability while women pointed to their appearance.
As to reasons they cannot find ideal types as marriage partners, 26.3 percent of men pointed to “ability” or lack thereof, and 27.1 percent of women cited their less than satisfactory looks.
Male respondents also cited family backgrounds (23.1 percent), appearance (17.9 percent) and dating skills (15.5 percent) while their female counterparts pointed to femininity (21.1 percent), ability (19.1 percent) and familial environment (14.7 percent).
“In an economically difficult time, many women count economic power as the foremost condition for their spouses,” said Sohn Dong-kyu, CEO of Bien Aller. “Men, of all ages and places, tend to put looks and minds ahead of all else in picking their other halves.”
What do these unmarried men and women think is their biggest advantage in seeking partners, then?
Male respondents cited diligence and sincerity (23.9 percent) first, followed by thoughtfulness (22.2 percent) and ability (15.1 percent). Females counted womanliness (25.5 percent), looks (20.3 percent), diligence-sincerity (17.1 percent) and ability (15.1 percent).
“As shown by the fad words of ‘Hell Joseon,’ today’s youngsters do not have much confidence in their academic and vocational backgrounds or family environment,” said Lee Kyung, a manager at Only You. “So both men and women seem to emphasize internal aspects such as diligence and sincerity.”