ARRANGED MARRIAGES

Link of Arranged Marriage with Society and associated Practices and Concerns

Link of Arranged Marriage with Society and associated Practices and Concerns

Thesis Statement

The paper examines the link between society and arranged marriage practices. It examines the various customs observed in arranged marriage practices, and analyzes the concerns linked with these practices.

Introduction

People may go through the process of developing an intimate relationship with another person before deciding to formalize their relationship via entering into the marital relationship. This process is a fairly common practice in the Western world. In contrast, the process of arranging marriages is completely different. All decisions involving the marriage are at least partially made by the family, relatives and/or community of the bride and groom. According to various researches, nearly eight percent of all documented cultures are reported to engage in one form of arranged marriage practices or the other. In the past, practice of arranged marriages has been observed even in the industrialized West. To date, some subgroups (Hindus, Muslims) continue the practice of arranged marriages in parts of the United States and Canada.

Discussion and Analysis

Practices in Arranged Marriages

The practices of arranging marriages vary with the persons eligible for marriage. For instance, many cultures and subcultures widely differ on the socially acceptable age for marriage for females and males, marriages of prepubescent children and marriages between cousins which are also called consanguine marriages.

Some cultures observe the practice of exchange of money or/and gifts. While, in some subgroups, the bride brings money or other gifts termed as dowry or bride wealth, there are some groups where the groom pays as a namesake exchange for the wife in terms of money or other resources. The general observation indicates that some sorts of resources or gifts are provided by both the bride's side and the groom's side.

A substantial variance in the criteria for searching a possible and suitable match exists from culture to culture and subgroup to subgroup. Since a very significant factor in arranged marriages is the establishment of relations between two families and not just two individuals thereby, these marriages involve the process of distribution of wealth and property of a family and sometimes a community. A reasonable match in the status of both the families is also very important. Factors that play a prominent role in the final decision of arranging a marriage between two families include reputation of the families, character and similar religious beliefs (Xiaohe et al., 1990). Also to be noted is the fact that the individual attributes of the bride and groom are not the focal point of attention, and the compatibility between the two individuals is not a major concern for the decision makers. This is so because of the fact that arranged marriages involve many compromises and adjustments from both the bride and groom. An observed fact is that Eastern cultures have burdened the brides with making major adjustments and compromises for the survival of relationships.

The practices of arranging marriages widely vary in terms of the person who arranges the ...