Arranged marriages are, simply put, marriages arranged by one’s parents or family members. Unlike love marriages where two people meet, fall in love, understand each other and know each other well before they decide to get married, arranged marriages involve meeting one’s future partner at a formal occasion in the company of friends and family members, interacting a few times and then, deciding to get married. Here are more details on the intricacies of an arranged marriage.
Finding the Future Life Partner
The process of finding the appropriate partner or matchmaking is usually undertaken by the parents, who would normally place an advertisement in the papers, spread the word around in their social circle and these days, place ads online too. There may be some instances where either the boy or the girl themselves decide to place the ad and shortlist and interview potential candidates. However, parental involvement plays a strong role in the entire process.
Meeting the Future Husband or Wife
In arranged marriages, meeting one’s future life partner is usually done in the midst of family and a few close friends. If, after the first meeting, the couple feels that they have something in common with one another, the talks between the families progress. The boy and girl in question meet a few more times and then make a decision. However, there are occasions when the decision to marry is made right after the first meeting itself.
Involvement of the Family
Arranged matrimonial alliances involve a great deal of participation from most family members. Parents, uncles, aunts and even cousins are usually consulted and introduced to the other family. Their advice and guidance is treated with seriousness and although the final decision rests with the couple, they are encouraged to heed the advice of the elders of the family.
Dependence on Astrology and Religion
In most Asian cultures, marriages are finalized based usually on the religious and astrological signs of the boy and the girl. Their birth charts are discussed with a priest or astrologer and talks move forward if the birth charts synchronize well and are favorable for both. Certain rites and rituals also precede the marriage in order to make the alliance more blessed for the couple.
While arranged marriages are considered traditional and stereotypical of certain Asian cultures, they are quite an interesting phenomenon with a great deal of uniqueness and a high level of familial involvement. The whole process is filled with a flurry of activity, anticipation and enthusiasm, making the act of getting married and choosing a life partner a family affair rather than an individual one.
Prerna Malik - Prerna Malik is a professional freelance writer, business blogger, social media expert and obsessive organizer.
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