Arranged marriages in Indian culture and modern change
Posted by Admin | Posted in Marriage | Posted on 16-10-2009-05-2008
Tags: arranged,culture,Marriage,rituals
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Arranged marriages are a way of Indian life. It is very likely that your parents may have had an arranged marriage or that you know other friends and family who have arranged marriages. There has been a lot of discussion about whether arranged marriages are good or bad, they work or don’t work. You can find information on this topic in both European and Asian media, and at times the view is very different from the East and West.
But one thing is for sure, arranged marriages are one method for people to enter in a relationship in matrimony/shaadi.
Getting arranged
Traditionally, or during last century, marriages are typically arranged through family or friends of family. Generally the marriage has taken place within a reasonably close geographic zone (as it was harder to move around and find partners)
One of the families will initiate the procedure, sometimes without even consulting the person to be married!, and make contact with the suitor’s family. Discussions will take place to some degree about whether a marriage could work. These days it is typical to consult the the people involved before the marriage is to be confirmed, however in some strict families/comunities this does not always happen!
Problem with arranged marriages
The major drawback with arranged marriage is that often there is little opportunity to get to know the other partner before the marriage takes place. This means after the wedding sometimes the person does not appear to be what was expected, often causing friction, and disrupting family ties. Though in many cases as divorce is discouraged, couples try and work through their problems to stabilise the relationship.
Advantages of arranged marriages
But it is not all bad! There are many positive aspects of having an arranged marriage. This include:
- Not having to go through a long, stressful, courting process of trying to find a partner
- Have friends and family help you in the process
- Keeping with Indian tradition and customs, your parent’s and family have almost certainly approve the partner
- You have a lot of time to ‘discover’ each other, be suprised by your partner
Your views..
Tell us what you think! Post in the comments below and we will collate your respones. Have you or someone you know had an arranged marriage, how is it working out? Please let us know.
