An interesting article shows the preference singles about their future-husband's or wife's age in Korea. According to a survey conducted by Duo, one of the most famous match making company in Korea, 78.43% of single men want to marry a woman 4~5 years younger than themselves, while 82.55% of single women want to marry a man 1~3 years older than themselves. Besides, it turned out that both men and women tend to prefer a younger partner as they get older (44.12% of single man over 36 want to marry someone who is even seven or more years younger than themselves.)
I think this is 'typical Korean', as age plays an important role in our society. The younger is expected to follow the elder, and this kind of hierarchy does not face much protest. Being strongly influenced by Confucianism, age and gender usually go together for one's social position. Therefore, a 'typical' Korean couple consist of an older man and younger women. Girls address their boyfriends "오빠(older brother)", sometimes still using the polite form("~요") while their boyfriends do not. (Look at those TV dramas, and carefully observe the conversation of a couple.)
It's funny to see some Korean boys teaching their foreign girlfriend this term, and they look so happy to hear the word "오빠(older brother)" from her. To my surprise, a lot of Chinese girls are not reluctant at all to do that. I was a bit shocked to see how easily and willingly they followed this. Finding myself quite annoyed to be forced to follow this absurd system, I couldn't understand why so many girls from other Asian countries are so excited and delighted to do.
Ok, let's talk about this thema another time. There would be a chance to discuss it next time.
Anyway, a questionnaire for my visitors(ONLY for singles):
Is there any preference about your marriage partner's age?
If yes, how old or how young should he or she be? And why?
8 comments:
Hey, I hardly think that only "singles" should be allowed to answer that question. I protest!
So, here is my answer: I prefer men who are about 2-3 years older than me. My husband is 2 years older than me and I love calling him oppa....heh heh.
Anyway, hi, how have you been? I miss Seoul....yes I do.
I was reading the blog of another NUS student who's on exchange programme at Yonsei and I realise that I miss Seoul.
I wanna go again, but this time with my family.
Hi Aini~ Welcome welcome!
And sure, you can give your answer too even though you're not single. Hehe:)
So, as I see, your husband meets your expectations - two years older than you. Just fine:)
OK, yes I forgot to write "WHY".
Because I would like him to have a couple of years' experience in life, so that he'd be able to lead the way.
Ok Ok call me conservative....but it's goood to let the guy take the lead in some situations in life, right?
And.... it will be kinda strange to call a younger guy 오빠...
An age difference of up to 10 years should be alright. Above that, the generation gap may become prominent and that could be a hindrance to communication.
The age gap is quite important in that I think people (particularly Asians) will find it awkward if their partners are as old as their parents or as young as their nieces or newphews.
This is an interesting subject. I don't mind my partner to be younger or older as long as basic element of chemistry is available.
드디어 오늘 누나랑 만났어요. 정말 반가웠어요^^ 근데 그 때 좀 죄송했어요. 손에 음료술 4개 쥐고 있었는데 누나에게 안 주셨어요ㅠㅠ 아마 넘 기뻐서 어떻게 이사하는지도 몰랐어요 ㅎㅎ
关于自己女友的年龄问题……我想中国人并没有“연상연하”这样的规矩，所以找女朋友的时候，在年龄上并没有什么特别的要求。不过一般的男性还是倾向于女友比自己年龄小一些。就我自己而言，我比较喜欢比我小一两岁的女孩。ㅎㅎ, 좀 부끄러워....
방영씨, 사실 화요일마다 한번씩 스쳐지나가긴 했는데, 오늘 봤다시피 저도 수업이 두개나 있어서 정신이 없는 가운데 매번 인사를 제대로 못했어요^^;; (미안 ㅋㅋ)
여하튼 반가웠어요.
앞으로 자주 보게 되겠네요^^
Interesting post. :D
At the age of 23, my preference is 'roughly' +/- 2 yrs.
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