Divorced Men and Women Who Once Prioritized Homemaking and Education Now Value Financial Capability and Appearance

In Remarriage, Men Value Financial Capability, Women Value Appearance
Survey of 516 Participants by Only-You and Bienarae

The criteria considered most important when choosing a spouse for a first marriage are significantly different from those prioritized when selecting a partner for remarriage. The most notable changes were observed among men, who previously prioritized a traditional homemaker, and among women, who valued educational background the most.

On June 24, remarriage information company Only-You and matchmaking agency Bienarae released the results of a survey conducted among 516 divorced men and women (258 men and 258 women), all of whom were seeking remarriage. The survey asked, "Which criteria that you prioritized when choosing a spouse for your first marriage have become much less important when selecting a partner for remarriage?"

According to the survey results, 32.6% of male respondents cited "a traditional homemaker," while 34.5% of female respondents cited "educational background" as the criteria that had become the least important. For men, "educational background" (22.1%), "place of origin" (17.4%), and "birth order among siblings" (13.9%) followed. For women, the next most frequently cited were "birth order among siblings" (26.4%), "family background" (16.3%), and "diligence and sincerity" (14.7%).

When asked which criteria they consider much more important when choosing a partner for remarriage compared to their first marriage, men cited "financial capability" (31.4%), "age difference" (25.2%), "attitude toward remarriage" (20.9%), and "empathy" (16.3%) in that order. For women, "appearance" (30.6%) was the most important, followed by "empathy" (28.3%), "age difference" (21.0%), and "attitude toward remarriage" (14.7%).

Regarding criteria that were important in the past but are no longer considered significant, men most frequently cited "chastity" (28.3%), followed by "aversion to families with many women" (25.2%), and "aversion to families where parents have passed away early" (19.3%). For women, the most common answers were "aversion to eldest sons" (30.6%), "concerns about living with in-laws" (27.5%), and "aversion to families with many women" (16.3%). For both men and women, "legal status" ranked fourth, at 15.9% and 13.6% respectively.

An Only-You representative commented, "Even just ten years ago, prospective grooms placed great importance on a bride's chastity. Mothers of daughters would emphasize that their daughters had never even been near a man, highlighting the significance of chastity." The representative also explained, "In the past, when families had many children, the eldest son was expected to take responsibility for family rituals and important events, which led women to avoid marrying eldest sons."

Only-You CEO Son Donggyu noted that the average duration of marriage among divorced couples in 2024 was 17.2 years, stating, "There have been significant changes in people’s thinking, culture, and lifestyle patterns over the course of a marriage." He continued, "There are inevitably many changes in the criteria for choosing a spouse between first marriages and remarriages. It is important to approach remarriage in line with current trends to avoid difficulties." He also pointed out, "In the past, a man’s educational background was seen as a key indicator of his future economic potential, but in remarriage, the actual assets accumulated are considered more important."