Journal of Iranian Social Studies

Beyond Assortative Mating: Investigating the Determinants of Marital Stability in Contemporary Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Milad Bagi 1
Amir Hossein Salimi 2

1 Assistant Professor of Demography, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

2 MA in Demography, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/jss.2025.2062641.1905
Abstract
With the rising divorce rates, extensive discussions have emerged regarding the causes and factors influencing marital stability. In both popular culture and prior Iranian studies, homogamy and shared characteristics between spouses have often been considered as key determinants of marital durability. This study aims to assess the impact of homogamy on marital stability. Using a quantitative approach and secondary analysis techniques, it investigates data from the National Divorce Survey (2017-2018). The findings reveal that contrary to many previous studies, homogamy in dimensions such as education, religion, ethnicity, and age has a very limited effect on marital stability. In contrast, individual factors such as education level, age, gender, employment status, and behavioral traits like internet and social media usage, division of household labor, and time spent outside the home play a more significant roles. Unlike traditional views, female breadwinning positively influences marital longevity and strengthens mutual economic participation within the family. Therefore, it can be argued that in Iran, as a transitional society, structural or superficial similarities between spouses do not necessarily enhance marital stability, while individual choices and daily lifestyle patterns play a more critical role in sustaining marital relationships.

Keywords

Homogamy
Marital Stability
Gender Roles
Lifestyle
Social Media Networks
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  • Receive Date 12 June 2025
  • Revise Date 08 November 2025
  • Accept Date 24 November 2025
  • First Publish Date 24 November 2025
  • Publish Date 22 May 2025

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