Deciding to Marry: Factors Influencing Marriage Decisions Among Young Malaysian Men

Marriage is one of life’s most important decisions as it creates a foundational partnership that can provide emotional support, shared purpose, and lasting companionship throughout life’s challenges and joys. The objective of this study is to explore the factors that influence marriage decisions among young Malaysian men aged 23 to 30. This study employed a qualitative approach and a case study design involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews with five informants from diverse ethnic, religious, and professional backgrounds. The research findings reveal three major themes that influence marital decision-making, including social, economic, and psychological factors. Social factors include family influence, peer influence, media influence, religious beliefs, and cultural traditions. Economic factors focus particularly on financial stability. Psychological factors such as attitudes toward marriage and self-confidence strongly influence the decision to delay or participate in marriage. This research offers valuable insights into the factors that influence marriage decisions among young men in Malaysia. The limitation of this study is that it is based on only five interviews. Thus, the findings cannot be generalized to all young men in Malaysia. Future research should include a large number of representative samples and incorporate quantitative methods for a more detailed analysis. This study recommends public awareness programs to help young men make informed decisions about marriage and family.