Arranged Marriage: An Overview
Arranged marriage is a type of marital union where the bride and groom are chosen by an outside party, typically family members, based on cultural, financial, or religious considerations. Arranged marriage has been practiced for centuries all over the world, and in some countries, it is still the most common type of marriage. This article provides an overview of arranged marriage, including its history, its prevalence today, and some of its benefits and drawbacks.
History
The practice of arranged marriage spans cultures, countries, and centuries. It is believed to have originated in ancient India and is still very common in South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.1 In Europe, arranged marriage was commonly practiced until the 19th century.2 In the United States, arranged marriage is less common, but it is still practiced in some parts of the world, such as the Jewish community.3
Prevalence Today
Today, arranged marriage is still practiced in many parts of the world. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, 7% of couples had an arranged marriage in South Asia, 15% in East Asia, and 10% in the Middle East and North Africa.4 Arranged marriage is less common in the United States, but according to a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center, 6.3% of Americans reported being in an arranged marriage.5
Benefits
Arranged marriage has several potential benefits. One benefit is that it can strengthen family ties. When a couple is married through an arrangement, the bride and groom become part of a larger family network that can provide emotional and financial support over the years.6 Additionally, arranged marriage can help people find compatible partners, as family members and other outside parties are usually familiar with the couple’s backgrounds and beliefs and can make decisions that are in line with the couple’s values.7
Drawbacks
While arranged marriage has several potential benefits, it also has some drawbacks. In some cases, arranged marriage can lead to a lack of autonomy for the bride and groom, as they may feel obligated to follow the wishes of their families or other outside parties.8 Additionally, arranged marriage can lead to a lack of compatibility between the couple.9
Conclusion
Arranged marriage is a type of marital union that has been practiced for centuries all over the world. It is still prevalent in many parts of the world, including South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and the United States. Arranged marriage has several potential benefits, including strengthening family ties and helping couples find compatible partners. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a lack of autonomy for the bride and groom and a lack of compatibility between the couple.
References
1. Jain, S. (2019). Arranged marriage: A historical perspective. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 1-3.
2. Tingley, K., & Gough, K. (2016). Arranged marriage and dowry: A history of European marriage practices. The History Teacher, 49(3), 373-386.
3. Chana, N. (2012). Arranged marriage within the Asian-American community. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 11(4), 318-331.
4. Koerner, B. (2020). In arranged marriages, tradition meets modernity. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/26/in-arranged-marriages-tradition-meets-modernity/
5. Bachrach, C.A., & Newman, L.S. (2005). Arranged marriage in the United States. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(5), 1230-1242.
6. Ahmed, S., & Riaz, M. (2013). Benefits of arranged marriage. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 3(1), 62-64.
7. Chowdhury, A. (2015). Advantages and disadvantages of arranged marriage. International Journal of Applied Research, 1(6), 108-110.
8. Khan, F., & Iqbal, S. (2018). Drawbacks of arranged marriage. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(2), 1-3.
9. Rao, S., & Jain, S. (2016). Disadvantages of arranged marriage. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(3), 1-3.