Arranged Marriages Are Not As Bad As You Think
Start writing a post
Swoon

Arranged Marriages Are Not As Bad As You Think

But they're still not for me.

463
Arranged Marriages Are Not As Bad As You Think
Ananya Jain

As my parents approach their 21st wedding anniversary, I have come to realize that while their arranged marriage did not start off as a typical romance, it is far more successful than most love marriages today. The continuation of my family tree has relied almost exclusively on arranged marriages and although this seems terrifying and bizarre to me, it is still a common practice in most Indian families.

In most cases, once the son or daughter of a family becomes a young adult, the parents will begin looking for a spouse for their child. In the case of my parents, my mom's extended relatives knew my dad's mother and got in touch with her to see if my dad was looking for a potential wife. The two families will then meet and if a connection is established, preparations for the marriage will shortly follow.

It seems crazy to think that my parents barely knew each other before their wedding day but in India, marriage is more than just a ritual to solidify the love that two people share for each other. It is an act that perpetuates the family's status in society and ensures that the family continues to grow.

Most people might think that arranged marriages have become archaic in modern society but the reality is quite the opposite. In a 2013 survey, 74% of Indians (aged 18-35) believed that the decision of who they get to marry should be left up to their parents. Why does this trend continue to this day?

Why would anyone want to get an arranged marriage?

One possible explanation could be that arranged marriages (specifically for Indians) are extremely successful. The divorce rate amongst Indian couples is shockingly low — only 1 in 100 Indian marriages end in divorce. Additionally, in a recent study that compared Indian-American couples married by arrangement and by choice, it was found that the people in arranged marriages were just as happy and satisfied as those in a free-choice relationship.

The alarming success rates for arranged marriages could be caused by a variety of factors. In a typical Indian arranged marriage, two people from the same socioeconomic class and background are paired together, which means that their experiences, as well as their values in regards to money and work are very similar. Furthermore, newlyweds in arranged marriages tend to have lower expectations for their partners because they have not known them as long as people in free-choice marriages. Lowering one's expectations implies that they can be met more easily and result in a harmonious relationship.

While the studies focused on arranged marriages suggest that they can be highly successful, I would personally never want to go through with one. Arranged marriages might be practical and the perfect solution for someone who does not want to spend time looking for their soulmate, but they lack the spontaneity and unexpected twists of fate that come with the beginning phases of dating someone new.

For me and the other hopeless romantics out there, arranged marriages are and will never be up to par.

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49683
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31653
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955228
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180429
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments