Marriage phobia has become a major reason for both men and women choosing to marry later in life. Severe cases of marriage phobia manifest not only before marriage but also persist for a long time afterward.
Men and Women with Marriage Phobia
1. Men fear marriage, primarily due to apprehension about assuming marital responsibilities.
During courtship, men need not worry about many post-marriage concerns, allowing them to focus solely on their partner and remain physically and mentally relaxed. They relish the carefree, romantic sweetness of their relationship, but marriage often shatters this state of ease. They begin fretting over post-marriage hassles, the grind of household finances, the dual responsibilities of husband and father, and even filial duties to both families. Especially for men in the ascendant phase of their careers, the fear arises that marital burdens will suffocate them. Unwilling to confront reality, they fantasize about returning to the dating phase, making them prone to premarital anxiety.
2. Men fear marriage because it restricts their freedom.
During the free-spirited dating period, men and women maintain space between them. This creates surprises, longing, moments of calm, and passion—all pleasures born from distance. Men crave freedom more intensely than women. Even deeply in love, they resist being bound by marriage or altering their lifestyle, fostering marital apprehension—a prejudice and misunderstanding of marriage.
3. Male wedding anxiety manifests as distrust in female fidelity.
Though marriage legally safeguards a couple’s bond, both partners remain vulnerable to infidelity. Especially in today’s fast-paced society, temptations abound everywhere, requiring immense willpower to resist. Yet, succumbing to these temptations often occurs, explaining why couples frequently experience the so-called “three-year itch” or “seven-year itch” after several years of marriage. Men often harbor doubts about a woman’s loyalty before marriage, fearing that having children might make the situation even more uncontrollable. This is fundamentally a lack of confidence in the couple’s love.
4. Men’s fear of marriage manifests as fear of work.
Many career-driven men or those in the ascendant phase of their careers worry that marital responsibilities will disrupt their professional progress. Examples include relocating for career advancement, being transferred to another city for work, or struggling to balance family duties with career demands. These concerns make them perceive marriage as a potential obstacle to their future, which fundamentally reflects a lack of confidence in their own capabilities.
