The future of Arranged Marriage
Marriage is the best and biggest of all family festivities, where families, distant relatives, friends and co-workers all come together to celebrate the union of two people in love for eternity(hopefully). Its quite known all over the world that in my country India, parents have more then just a say in the selection of bride/groom for their sons/daughters. To be precise- Arranged Marriage.
Since my sister is getting married soon, it seems like a perfect topic to write an article upon. To many in various corners of the world, arranged marriage is not a human behaviour exclusive to India. Until recently, almost all civilizations and societies, especially the upper social class have been using this method to find the perfect partners for their children. From the royals to the commoners. Remember Rose and Hockley in Titanic??
My point is, as India modernizes day by day, its becoming more and more western in almost every aspect. With young adults realizing their independence and dreams and other newer aspects of life, how long is arranged marriage going to survive. Not very long- IMO
With higher than ever penetration of education, technology and international influence, youngsters are realising there differences and learning to celebrate them. Its the realisation of the fact that everyone has there own expectations, dreams, ambitions and desires and its only them who understands it, and no amount of parental guidance/intervention can help them achieve it. Education and empowerment of women has led increased independence amongst the female gender in choosing their soulmates which was lacking previously. Its only natural and beneficial for our society.
Also there is reduced perseverance and patience in the newer generation who do not have time to make efforts to save marriage and repair relationships for years with people who weren't their own choice for marriage to begin with. Love just doesn't happen by itself anymore. Its either magical or its not. So its far more beneficial to get married to a person whom you already know and are comfortable with- financially, emotionally, physically, sexually etc. That's one of the reasons why the popularity of live-in relationships is sky rocketing in our country.
Furthermore, awareness, education and influence-both domestic and international has led to increased knowledge of the fluidity of sexuality and acceptance of ones own sexuality, mainstream or not, the pre-requisites and desires of which cannot be fulfilled by Arranged Marriage.
The result of this change is multi-dimensional. With increasing love marriages comes increase in divorces, annulments pre-nuptials etc. There will be automatic reduction in the phenomenon of dowry- large sums of money/gold/property given by the brides family to the grooms, the amount of which is negotiated and decided depending upon various factors by the two family and the payment of which is obligatory. It is essentially associated with arranged marriage and still exists in several societies of our country. Reduction in domestic violence might also be seen as people are making well informed choices about their life. Freedom to choose once own partner if followed by educated family planning might lead to healthier reproductive rates.
In my opinion I see only benefits and no harm of this change in mentality and opinion of people. hence I promote this newfound freedom and independence in the youth of my country.
Since my sister is getting married soon, it seems like a perfect topic to write an article upon. To many in various corners of the world, arranged marriage is not a human behaviour exclusive to India. Until recently, almost all civilizations and societies, especially the upper social class have been using this method to find the perfect partners for their children. From the royals to the commoners. Remember Rose and Hockley in Titanic??
My point is, as India modernizes day by day, its becoming more and more western in almost every aspect. With young adults realizing their independence and dreams and other newer aspects of life, how long is arranged marriage going to survive. Not very long- IMO
With higher than ever penetration of education, technology and international influence, youngsters are realising there differences and learning to celebrate them. Its the realisation of the fact that everyone has there own expectations, dreams, ambitions and desires and its only them who understands it, and no amount of parental guidance/intervention can help them achieve it. Education and empowerment of women has led increased independence amongst the female gender in choosing their soulmates which was lacking previously. Its only natural and beneficial for our society.
Also there is reduced perseverance and patience in the newer generation who do not have time to make efforts to save marriage and repair relationships for years with people who weren't their own choice for marriage to begin with. Love just doesn't happen by itself anymore. Its either magical or its not. So its far more beneficial to get married to a person whom you already know and are comfortable with- financially, emotionally, physically, sexually etc. That's one of the reasons why the popularity of live-in relationships is sky rocketing in our country.
Furthermore, awareness, education and influence-both domestic and international has led to increased knowledge of the fluidity of sexuality and acceptance of ones own sexuality, mainstream or not, the pre-requisites and desires of which cannot be fulfilled by Arranged Marriage.
The result of this change is multi-dimensional. With increasing love marriages comes increase in divorces, annulments pre-nuptials etc. There will be automatic reduction in the phenomenon of dowry- large sums of money/gold/property given by the brides family to the grooms, the amount of which is negotiated and decided depending upon various factors by the two family and the payment of which is obligatory. It is essentially associated with arranged marriage and still exists in several societies of our country. Reduction in domestic violence might also be seen as people are making well informed choices about their life. Freedom to choose once own partner if followed by educated family planning might lead to healthier reproductive rates.
In my opinion I see only benefits and no harm of this change in mentality and opinion of people. hence I promote this newfound freedom and independence in the youth of my country.
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