AUTHOR=Daraz Umar , Khan Younas , Alnajdawi Ann Mousa , Alsawalqa Rula Odeh 

TITLE=Empowering hearts and shaping destinies: unveiling the profound influence of education on women’s mate selection in Pakistan – a comprehensive mixed-methods study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sociology

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sociology/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1273297

DOI=10.3389/fsoc.2023.1273297

ISSN=2297-7775

ABSTRACT=This study investigates the impact of education on women's empowerment in the realm of mate selection within Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Employing a mixed-method research approach, the study conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with educated women and distributed a Likert Scale questionnaire to 500 women. The qualitative findings reveals that education significantly influences women's perspectives, guiding their priorities, and instilling a desire for compatibility and shared values in their relationships. Educated women also display resilience, confidence, and a readiness to challenge prevailing societal norms and gender stereotypes when selecting a life partner. Quantitative analysis establishes a statistically significant positive correlation between education and women's empowerment in mate selection. These findings underscore the pivotal role of education in enhancing women's agency and autonomy in a critical aspect of their lives. The study's implications extend to policy recommendations advocating for increased access to quality education and the implementation of gender-sensitive curricula in Malakand Division and analogous regions. Recognizing education's potential to empower women in mate selection is vital for fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.This study investigates the influence of education on women's empowerment in the context of mate selection in Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Utilizing a mixed-method research approach, the study conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with educated women and administered a Likert Scale questionnaire to 500 women. The research findings illuminate how education shapes women's perspectives, influences their priorities, and fosters a desire for compatibility and shared values in relationships. Additionally, educated women exhibit resilience, confidence, and a propensity to challenge prevailing societal norms and gender stereotypes when selecting a life partner. The quantitative analysis reveals a statistically significant positive relationship between education and women's empowerment in mate selection, with education accounting for approximately 66.5% of the variance in women's mate preferences. These results underscore education's crucial role in enhancing women's agency and autonomy in a critical aspect of their lives.