Rajeev Verma
Marriage in India has historically been viewed as a fixed structure, one in which roles were clearly defined and rarely questioned.
For decades, society operated on an unspoken formula: men were expected to study, secure a stable job, get married, and become the primary financial providers. Women, on the other hand, built their lives around the responsibilities of home, family, and emotional care. This structure was predictable, familiar, and socially accepted.
However, the social fabric of marriage in India is undergoing a major shift. Contrary to popular belief, not all marriages are collapsing — but many are evolving, and the reasons are more complex than simply blaming cultural changes or gender expectations. The central factor driving this shift is the rise of women’s financial independence and their ability to support themselves and their families.
For the first time in Indian history, a large proportion of women do not need a man for financial survival. With education, careers, and entrepreneurship becoming increasingly accessible, women today are not looking for providers — they are looking for partners. The qualities that matter now are emotional maturity, relational competence, communication ability, and shared responsibility.
This shift should, in theory, reduce pressure on men. After all, a shared financial burden should make life more manageable. Yet the reality is far from that. For many men, the loss of the sole-provider role is perceived not as relief, but as a threat. Traditionally, men’s identities were rooted in status, control, and being the unquestioned head of the household. When women enter the financial domain, it challenges this longstanding identity framework.
In a society driven by status and societal approval, this shift often translates into emotional conflict, insecurity, and resistance. Many men still measure their worth based on how much a woman adapts, sacrifices, or depends on them. When that dependency disappears, the power dynamics change — and this change is uncomfortable, especially for those who were raised to believe leadership equals authority rather than partnership.
Interestingly, money remains at the center of marital conflict, regardless of whether it is scarce or abundant. When finances are limited, the stress breaks relationships. When they are abundant, ego, insecurity, and power struggles can create equal cracks.
So, are marriages collapsing ?
The answer is more nuanced: marriages are transforming because women have changed — and men, largely, have not changed at the same pace.
Today’s women are independent, ambitious, and emotionally aware. They expect equality, understanding, and respect. They seek companionship, not control; partnership, not dependency.
The future of marriage in India depends not on returning to old structures but on redefining roles with mutual respect. Until men evolve from providers to partners — emotionally, mentally, and socially — the imbalance will continue.
Marriage is no longer a duty. It is a choice. And for many, that is the beginning of a healthier chapter.
RAJEEV VERMA 