There are many needs which love cannot meet like children's education, food, shelter, clothing etc; it takes only money to do that. Thus, economic factor plays an important role in marriage. The aspects related to economic readiness for marriage are:
Economic readiness of man: Since man is basically and traditionally the breadwinner of the family, it is expected that a man-to- marry should have the
Ability to earn a livelihood and to support others through a regular source of income,
Financial intelligence to manage and utilize income for appropriate family living and
Investment mentality that enables him to foresee the individual and family requirements and assess appropriately where the investments should be made for securing finances for future needs.
Economic readiness of woman: Traditionally, woman of the family was a homemaker. She was assigned the role of household care, child rearing and upbringing etc. She didn’t have the responsibility of earning for the family. But, in present scenario of economic inflation, value on material possession, desire to fulfil individual desires, needs and woman’s own need for social and economic security has necessitate the females to possess economic capability. The economic capacity of woman is a desirable trait but not essential for marriage. Today most men look for this quality in females when his family is selecting mate for him. An earning female or a female with potential of fetching regular income is considered social as well as economic asset to the family. Therefore, females must also prepare themselves to obtain appropriate knowledge and skills that may fetch them job or income generation.
Economic readiness of family: Marriage whether organised in a big way or as a small function does require a handsome investment. In India, usually the parent of the groom in patriarchal families make an effort to develop economic security to certain extent either by purchasing property or building economic capabilities of their son; arrange for ornaments, dresses and residential facilities for the prospective bride of their son. The parents of the girl (would-be-bride) make economic arrangements for dowry /gifts to be given to bridegroom’s family and other eligible relatives of the family and community workers, household items, ornaments and dresses for various occasions. Both the parties also make necessary economic arrangements for the feast that follows various rituals and wedding ceremonies.
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