Zeitschrift für Psychologie und Psychotherapie
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"Whose Marriage is this?" - Mate Selection Patterns in Modern Orthodox Society in Israel: A Dialogue between Two Cultural Systems

Ofra Shalev, Nehami Baum and Haya Itzhaky

In modern societies,

mate selection process has received extensive attention in the theoretical and research literature. Researchers were primarily concentrated in identifying the parameters that motivate and influence the choice of partner, as similarity, mutual benefits, and emotional aspects. Little attention, however, was given to the social and cultural context under which the selection process takes place. The present study attempted to explore this process among Modern Orthodox couples in Israel, as they combine two simultaneous cultural systems ; modern and traditional. 36 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with couples during their first year of marriage . The analysis revealed several mate selection styles, which were classified into two main groups: the " cognitive selectors " and the "emotional selectors". Both groups relate to their social context as a main factor in their selection process and outcome. The study findings throw light on the cultural complexity and duality of parallel value systems.