A Discussion on Whether Arranged Marriages Are Nothing But Outdated Forms of Slavery

Arranged Marriages: A Practiced Tradition

When one reads the headline above, one probably pauses and rereads it ensuring that you are reading it correctly. Some people believe that this isn’t still happening today, but it is. Arranged marriages are an integral parts of Asian culture that have been carried across the country. The related article was shown being practice in the United Kingdom by Pakistani families. The article’s position is believed to be correct in the fact that arranged marriages are just simple forms of slavery, domestic abuse, and are an outdated practice. I do also believe though that some can be used for good. Arranged marriages stifle the emotions of the person who is being forced and just seems cruel.

Arranged marriages are described as simple forms of slavery because of how they are carried out. Slavery was the practice of owning a human being and making choices for them like they are property. Arranged marriages are identical to this because the control of a son or daughter and forcing them to marry another human being without their consent is just as barbaric. In most Asian arranged marriages, they are forced to marry someone that is in the same caste, religious beliefs, or will provide great wealth for their family. It compares to slavery in that they have no choices for themselves because all of them are made for them. When the child tries to go against his/her family, it results in shame upon the family. For most females today, they still believe in honor killings if they go against the arranged marriage and decide to marry someone else. This honor killing transitions us into the next topic of domestic abuse in relation to arranged marriages.

One example of domestic abuse in relation to arranged marriages that responds in death are honor killings. Honor killings are not really honorable, but are called that because the reason for killing the person, or more specifically the female, is because she has done something shameful to dishonor her family. The astounding thing about honor killings is that most times, they are not carried out by the men, but are taken more seriously by other oppressed women. In recent years more abuse was done from woman to woman, than from man to woman. They believe the practice of honor killings has become so ingrained in their psyche that they don’t see a problem with it and will admit to it. Another form of domestic abuse are kidnapping and beatings, which they say are to teach the child respect, or for women, submission.

Lastly, arranged marriages are an outdated practice overall. Arranged marriage takes away the free will of people to find who God has destined for them. Yes, some people might disagree and say that arranged marriages have brought people together and love has grown, but that is not always the case. 85% of arranged marriages end in suicide or long lives of regret and sadness. Even though this may have been part of their culture, that doesn’t mean that it should be continued.

In conclusion, arranged marriages are not made for civilized society. They mostly bring heartache, death, and longing. Arranged marriages may have been a go to in the past for families, but it’s a new day. Everyone should be free to make their own choices or mistakes. Mistakes build character and show ones independence. They teach responsibility for ones actions, while helping you to discover ones true path. This is my own work. Naomi S. Jones