Arranged_Marriages

Arranged Marriages The first thought that enters my head when I hear the words “family traditions” are arranged marriages. It is not exactly a family tradition, but a cultural tradition that is very common in large areas in India. Obviously many of you may not be used to the concept of arranged marriages. We are all familiar with the story: boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy and girl gets married. For the majority of the western world, this is our ideal of a great beginning to a perfect marriage. It is important to realize that while India is very modernized in some aspects they still keep to the tradition of arranged marriages. Marriages formed out of love AKA "love marriages" do happen in India but it is not the norm. It is an accepted fact that a person's family will play a role in picking the marriage partner. In arranged marriages, families choose partners based on compatibility, culture, upbringing. They focus on issues that will foster a loving and fruitful relationship that will last a long time. So when a man or woman comes of marriage age, people around the community act as headhunters getting a man and a woman together if they see a fit. Advantage: Lower probability of divorce, stronger emphasis on family, future, and stability. Disadvantage: Women are less free to explore their desires after marriage as these issues are generally placed on the backburner for the "family". Looking after Kids, and keeping a stable household.