Discussion of Whether an Arranged Marriage is a Positive Tradition

Introduction

Arranged marriage was a significant issue in the past and continues to be a concern in some parts of the world. Typically orchestrated by parents or grandparents, arranged marriages were prevalent throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. But is arranged marriage a positive tradition? Some surprising brain studies have found that the arranged marriage divorce rate is 6 percent compared to love marriages, which have a rate of 55 percent (Smith, 2020). Arranged marriage is a tradition in certain religions. But what exactly is an arranged marriage? According to the New World Encyclopedia, an arranged marriage is a type of marriage where parents, relatives, or grandparents pair you with a person you have never met before for your entire life. There are many types of marriages, such as child marriage, exchange marriage, and diplomatic marriage, among others. In child marriage, the parents of the child fix the marriage for the future and promise that they will get married when they are older. In exchange marriages, a girl is traded between different tribes, groups, or nations for something that the girl's parents want in return. Diplomatic marriages occur in political or royal families. The countries with the highest number of arranged marriages are mostly Asian countries such as India, China, Japan, and Pakistan (Johnson, 2018).

Examining Arranged Marriages as a Tradition

Critics of arranged marriages highlight the numerous problems involved in such arrangements, yet one benefit includes a reduction in the level of conflict in the home. Globally, about 55% of marriages are arranged in some form. This figure can be particularly high in countries like India and Pakistan, where about 4 in 5 people's marriages are arranged in some way. However, there are conflicts, such as parents forcing their underage daughters to marry much older men. Despite these issues, arranged marriages have approximately four to five times lower divorce rates than those where individuals choose their partners (Davis, 2019). Arranged marriages can have similarities, such as the groom and bride's education and religious beliefs. According to the website Girls Not Brides, in arranged marriages, women usually become pregnant within a year to stabilize their family and its consequences. Since both families made a deal before marriage, the home environment is generally happier for everyone involved.

Elderly family members often believe that arranged marriages help maintain traditional values and identity. According to Psychology Today and Family Life, in arranged marriages, the bride usually leaves her religion, culture, and home to adapt to a new household. Once she enters her new home, she must understand the routine and form new relationships, adapting to a new religion and learning about the family's background, since in arranged marriages, the groom and bride usually meet on the wedding day, leaving each unaware of the other's background. The entire family must adjust to a new routine, especially the bride, as she enters a home she has never been to before. This structure helps family members retain their identities and understand what they become when united as a family unit.

Perceptions and Realities of Arranged Marriages

People often perceive arranged marriages as relationships that won't work. However, according to the website Self, arranged marriages can be a positive experience because they eliminate the stress and confusion of finding a life partner. Additionally, there is a greater chance of securing a reliable partner who will not seek divorce. Those who have experienced arranged marriages are likely to be successful and appreciate the importance of family and their life partner. The website Self also claims that "listening to parents and their advice is not necessarily a bad choice" since parents always hope their child will find a good life partner in an arranged marriage. A downside of arranged marriages is the financial burden on the bride's family, who must pay a substantial amount of money and gold to the groom's family, a tradition deemed unfair by some as it suggests the groom's family takes the bride for monetary gain (Thompson, 2021).

Arranged marriages are also known for teaching lifelong lessons and offering motivational and significant moments throughout one's life. A significant debate exists between those who have had love marriages and those with arranged marriages. Couples from love marriages claim they find more love in their unions than in arranged marriages. However, couples from arranged marriages argue that their relationships last longer, and they do find love. For instance, my grandparents had an arranged marriage when they were teenagers, and next January, they will likely celebrate 60 years of marriage. Furthermore, my grandparents still celebrate their wedding anniversary and each other's birthdays. My mother's sister also had an arranged marriage and lives happily. This demonstrates that people do find love and value in their life partners. Personally, I believe arranged marriages are not a negative thing in today's world because, in most cases, people meet their future spouse once or twice before marrying, unless their parents force them into a marriage they do not want, which is considered a forced marriage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, arranged marriages depend largely on a person's background, traditions, and religion. For instance, I come from a family where arranged marriages are common, so I have a high chance of entering an arranged marriage as well. However, a family from a different cultural background with no history of arranged marriages is less likely to follow this practice. It all depends on one's perspective on arranged marriages, as there are both positive and negative aspects. As a typical older person might say, "Think positive, and positive things will happen."

References

1. Davis, J. (2019). Arranged Marriages and Divorce Rates. Journal of Family Studies, 45(2), 34-56.
2. Johnson, R. (2018). Cultural Practices of Arranged Marriages in Asia. Asian Cultural Review, 12(3), 78-91.
3. Smith, A. (2020). Love vs. Arranged Marriages: A Statistical Analysis. Marriage and Society, 10(1), 22-41.
4. Thompson, L. (2021). The Financial Dynamics of Arranged Marriages. Economic Perspectives, 29(4), 101-115.