Abstract
The study was carried out to determine the factors considered in
making choice of partners in marriage by final year students and elite
youths in general in a Nigerian University. The study was specifically
conducted to determine the factors given much consideration among
elite youths so as to predict what could become the outcome of future
marriages consummated by the youths. The total population of final
year students was two thousand two hundred and 5% was taken as
samples from the ten faculties to give a sample of one hundred and ten
final year students from Olabisi Onabanjo University (2000/2001
session), comprising 55 males and 55 females. The data for the study
was collected using stratified random sampling method. Questionnaire
was administered to the respondents to solicit for necessary
information. The questionnaire has two sections, the first section
solicited for information on some relevant personal data while the
second section examined such factors as physical factors, economic
factors, sociological factors, health and cultural factors. Each of these
factors had several questions relating to selection of mate. Sociological
factors played the topmost part in influencing marriage choice, this was
followed by physical factors which has virtually the same level of
consideration. The least considered factor was cultural factors.
Counselling Psychologist were to see the need for intervention during
this period of critical decision for the youths to assist in ensuring they
make decisions that would lead to the realization of their dreams.