Romance in Kathmandu: The Decision to Marry for Love in the Hindu Kingdom of Nepal

Sarah Megan Heller, University of California, Berkeley

For centuries marriages arranged by parents have been the only kind of acceptable marriage in Nepal. However, new research indicates that the proportion of "love marriages" is increasing. What accounts for these recent changes in marriage practices? Is there dating in Nepal? What are the social costs and benefits of marrying for love? This poster displays original ethnographic research results on romance in the city of Kathmandu in 1997. An analysis of data from the 2001 Demographic and Health Survey shows some variables that appear to influence women's decision making power. The poster also presents plans for eventually publishing this work in a digital multi-linear format.