ABSTRACT
There is a sizeable amount of literature, mostly sociological but also psychological, about the influences governing marital choice. In particular the psychoanalytic view of the influence of parental images has been thoroughly detailed. It may seem that the element of mystery is, in fact, lacking. It is, after all, common knowledge that men marry their mothers, even if it is less commonly known that women are sometimes likely to do the same. These are well-explored premises. Nevertheless, because of their unconscious nature, these choices still have a mysterious quality that constantly invites further exploration. Couples need to be able to accept each other, not only as the people they happen to be, but also as the people they are in the process of becoming. It involves the attempt to convert what was originally a largely unconscious, instinctive choice into a conscious commitment.
