Devotee Attitudes Concerning Marriage
In 2004-2005, the Grihasta Vision Team (GVT) members conducted a survey of devotee attitudes and experiences concerning the grhasta asrama. Our purpose was to understand current devotee attitudes, and track changes over time by taking subsequent follow-up surveys. While not a truly random survey, respondents
represented diverse geographic areas, ages, and ethnic backgrounds in North America. A total of 176 surveys were completed. The data entry, statistical analysis, and summary was completed by Tamohara das and Mantrini devi dasi.

7. Children
in Family: Yes: 61.3%
No:
38.7%

8.
Years as a devotee:(Range from 1 to 37 years.)
Median: 20 years

9.
First Initiation:Y
Yes: 75.1%
No:24.9%

II.
Summary and Conclusions

The
survey included a broad range of devotees and a fairly equal gender distribution. Devotees who were married with children and had been devotees for many years were well represented.

The
most significant results:

• Belief
  in the institution of marriage and marital satisfaction were fairly high among all groups.
• There were less positive feelings toward the leadership and social structure that support the grhasta asrama.
• Measures of perception of support by ISKCON were statistically significantly lower than measures of marital satisfaction and belief in the value of grihasta asrama.
• In general, those who have been devotees the longest were more negative in their perception of support for household life and more negative towards support of the leadership in general than younger devotees. (There are several possible interpretations for this. One hopeful interpretation would be that support for grihastas is improving, and newer householders are experiencing a more positive and supporting culture.)
  

III.
Detailed Analysis of devotee attitudes towards the grihasta asrama.

The survey
asked more than 80 questions of respondents. The participants indicated between 1 (strongly disagree) and 5 (strongly agree) levels of agreement with each statement. (This is a standard Likert scale survey). The answers were all coded such that a high score indicated a positive attitude. For simplicity of data analysis, many of these questions were aggregated into seven broad categories. The areas, and the Mean (average) score for each category follows:

1
= strongly disagree
3 = neutral
5 = strongly agree

1.
General feelings of temple support for grihasta ashrama
3.18

2.
Personal positive feelings towards marriage.
4.07

3.
Positive attitudes toward children in the movement
3.62

4.
Economic support & feelings of economic sufficiency.
2.93

5.
Positive attitudes toward social support and social interaction
3.37

6.
Personal marital satisfaction
4.04

7.
Positive attitudes toward support of leaders for grihastas.
3.27

Two categories, 1) personal attitudes towards marriage, and 2) personal marital satisfaction, were statistical significantly different from the other variables that indicated attitudes of support from the leaders and the Movement. For instance, an aggregated mean score of 4.07 for personal attitudes toward marriage indicates that most at least “somewhat agree” that marriage is valuable and desirable. However, scores in the areas of feelings of support (2.9 to 3.37) were close to a full point lower.

• One interpretation of these data is that the devotees surveyed feel personally positive about marriage, and expressed fairly high marital satisfaction, despite the fact that they do not feel as strongly positive about support from the leaders and the Movement for the grhasta asrama.
  
  

Attitudinal
categories as related to demographic variables

• Interestingly, there were no significant differences in responses between men and women in almost all categories of questions.
• There were also no statistically significant differences between different marital statuses.
  
  

1.
Questions concerning Overall support

The
older the devotee, the less positive they were about overall support for grhastas.

2.
Questions concerning Personal attitudes toward marriage.

The
higher the income level, the more positive they felt about marriage. This would be consistent with research with non-devotees. Low income is usually a stressor in marriage and a strong divorce factor.

3.
Questions concerning Positive attitudes towards children in the movement.

The
longer one was a devotee, the more negative one felt about attitudes toward children.

4.
Questions concerning Economic Support

Those
with higher income and education levels felt more positive about economic support for grhastas. Also, Asian
(Indian) devotees significantly rated this category higher. This would be explained because Asians were by far in the highest income group. (The income level ranks were as
follows: 1. Asians, 2. Blacks, 3. Hispanic, 4. White (US/Can), 5. White, elsewhere).

5.
Questions concerning Positive attitudes toward social support and social interaction.

The
higher the educational level, the more positive towards social support and social interaction. Older
(length of time in Movement) devotees felt negatively about the adequacy of social support. Women tended to be more positive about social support than men, although the difference
was just short of being statistically significant (p
= .09, for you tatisticians.

6.
Questions concerning Positive feelings toward the leadership.

This was the strongest correlation found – The more years one was a devotee, the less positive one was about the leadership’s
support of the grhasta ashrama.

7.
Questions concerning Personal marital satisfaction.

The
longer one was a devotee, the less they felt personal marital satisfaction.

Access
to Resources

Many
devotees indicated access to marital resources. This may reflect the fact the surveys were often done in areas where the GVT members are active.
Premarital
Training available in area

Yes:
42%
No: 58%

Have
you taken a marriage education course?

Yes:
52%
No: 48%