A Sociological Study of the Causes of Women Remaining Unmarried

Marriage and the family are closely related social structures, with the family structure itself depending on the institution of marriage. Both stem from the necessity of society to regulate and legitimize the union of individuals. This study aims to explore the unmarried status of women in Sri Lanka, focusing on the factors influencing their marital status. The qualitative research methodology was employed and the study utilized the semi-structured interviews method to collect data from 15 women living in the Yatinuwara Ganga province, focusing primarily on Kiribathkumbura East and Kiribathkumbura West domains of Pilapitiya. Study reveals that women’s unmarried status has been influenced by several economic, social and cultural factor. Accordingly, poverty and its ramifications on dowry in Sinhala society was the major economic factor led to being unmarried while study identified that broken family and eldest sibling responsibilities and love brake up have led to the women’s unmarried status. However, cultural elements are important when thinking about marriage, and among the women in the research sample, astrological incompatibility and mismatches between partners, as well as caste differences in married unions, were highlighted as cultural factors that contributed to their single status. In addition, women's marriages are hindered by broken families, situations in which the woman takes on the role of the eldest, and the frequent disruption of educational pursuits. They remain single much past the traditional marriageable age due to the complex interactions between social norms and family dynamics.