Survey: Approval Desire Varies 3.4x Between Unmarried and Married Adults

Naresome Research Institute, run by Naresome Co., Ltd. (provider of the marriage agency Naresome Prep School), published a survey of 471 adult men and women (207 men, 264 women) conducted from March 5 to 15, 2026. The study analyzed the desire for attention and self-presentation. The desire to gain attention was highest among unmarried women (3.01) and lowest among married men (2.70). The difference based on marital status (0.24 between unmarried/married men) was 3.4 times larger than the gender gap (0.07 between unmarried men/women). Unmarried men focus on specifications like fashion and intelligence, while married men value inner qualities like reliability and kindness. Unmarried women in their late 30s showed high self-presentation desires (e.g. fun: 4.25). Relationship psychologist Keita Yamazaki noted that marriage functions as a space providing relief from constant evaluation, shifting focus from a market of being selected to a relationship of peace.