Older generation Z girls in Kerala are delaying marriage

With better access to higher education, growing financial independence and changing social expectations, older Gen Z girls in Kerala see marriage as only one of several options in life.

Whether in urban or semi-urban areas, for many, the hesitation is not about completely rejecting marriage, but about questioning its conditions. “Marriage is not something I’m against, but it’s not something I’m 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, B.Ed. A student says she wants to get married but has concerns about trust and emotional compatibility. “I’d rather be happily single than unhappily married,” she says.

Others emphasize the need for equal partnerships. “I have seen women give up their careers or adapt all the time. I don’t want that kind of life. If I get married, it has to be a partnership, not a compromise,” says Safa Naseer, 24, a post-graduate student from Malappuram.

Some girls choose to opt out altogether. “I don’t see marriage as necessary for a fulfilling life,” says Devika Sreejith, 29, an IT professional. “A company doesn’t have to have legal or social labels,” he adds.

Ardra Krishnan, 27, a researcher at the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), says there is pressure to get married. “Every family function comes with questions. But I’d rather face it 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 changed the power dynamics around marriage. When women are not economically dependent, marriage becomes a choice rather than a necessity.” says Anitha Rajeev, professor of sociology at Thrissur.

Alfred Samuel, a sociologist from 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 seen as a social obligation, but as a relationship that must meet certain expectations of equality, respect and emotional compatibility. If these conditions are not met, there is a greater willingness to postpone or withdraw.”

In an interview with The Hindu, P. Sathidevi, chairperson of the Kerala Commission for Women, says rising cases of marital violence and dowry-related deaths are the key reasons for women’s reluctance to marry. “Educated women increasingly choose partners on their own terms and prioritize financial independence over marriage,” she added.

However, Ms. Sathidevi claims that “compared to other states, more women in Kerala prefer to marry only after achieving economic stability”.

(Writer Archana Lakshma is an intern at The Hindu)

Published – 18 Sep 2026 11:40 AM IST