The Impact of Industrialization and Urbanization on the Standards For Choosing A Spouse Among Residents of the Le Mon Industrial Zone, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

Abstract

The criteria for choosing a spouse before marriage are an important aspect of marital relationships in general and in Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam, in particular. Industrialization and urbanization in the Le Mon industrial zone have increased labor concentration. This concentration of labor from many localities throughout the province and neighboring provinces will lead to changes in the value system of marital relationships, particularly the criteria for choosing a spouse. This article uses a quantitative research method (a survey of 244 representative households living on the outskirts of the industrial zone) and 10 in-depth interviews with residents and local leaders. By integrating Goode’s modernization theory, Becker’s rational choice theory, and Homans’ social exchange theory, the study explains how structural changes reshape personal marital preferences. The survey results show that factors such as age, education level, income, and hometown influence the criteria local people use to choose a spouse. Furthermore, the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model confirms that exposure to the industrial environment is the strongest predictor of modernized criteria for spouse selection. At the same time, the article points out that industrialization and urbanization have indirectly altered perceptions of standards for choosing a spouse and created adaptive requirements for family members. Actionable policy recommendations are proposed to help workers balance traditional values with modern family dynamics.