An arranged marriage (also called prearranged marriage) is a marriage arranged by someone other than the persons getting married, curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. In 1743–1745 William Hogarth painted the six pictures of Marriage à-la-mode ( National Gallery London) a pointed skewering of upper class 18th century William Hogarth (10 November 1697 &ndash 26 October 1764 was a major English painter, printmaker, pictorial satirist, social critic NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** Courtship is the traditional dating period before engagement and marriage Such marriages are common in the Middle East, and South Asia. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. Other groups that practice this custom include the Unification Movement, and royal families.

Note that the term "arranged marriage" is used even if the parents have no direct involvement in selecting the spouse. The match could be selected by a matchmaking agent, matrimonial site, or trusted third party. Marriage websites, or online matrimonial sites, are a variation of the standard dating websites with a focus on those wanting marriage rather than simply dating In many communities, priests or religious leaders as well as relatives or family friends play a major role in matchmaking.

Contents 1 Alternate uses of arranged marriage 2 Variations 2.1 A culture of arranged marriage 3 Factors considered in matchmaking 3.1 Caste 3.2 Immigration 4 Arguments against Arranged Marriage 4.1 Against 4.2 Issues common to both arranged and love marriage 5 References 6 See also

Alternate uses of arranged marriage

The pattern of arranged marriage be employed for other reasons beside the formation of a promising new family unit. In such marriages, typically economic or legal reasons take precedence over the goal of selecting a well-matched couple. Though critics are not always specific, criticism of arranged marriage usually targets abuses such as forced marriage and child marriage. Forced marriage is a term used to describe a marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without his or her consent or against his or her will Child marriage usually refers to two separate social phenomena which are practiced in some societies

• In a forced marriage, the parents choose their son's or daughter's future spouse with no input from the son or daughter. Forced marriage is a term used to describe a marriage in which one or more of the parties is married without his or her consent or against his or her will This form of arranged marriage is rare in the modern Western world, but not quite as rare in some other parts of the world. The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings Occasionally, even if the son or daughter disapproves of the choice, the marriage takes place regardless, overriding their objections. In some societies, in order to ensure cooperation the parents may threaten the child with punishment, or in rare cases, disinheritance and death. Punishment is the practice of imposing something unpleasant or aversive on a person or animal usually in response to disobedient or morally wrong behavior "Heir" and "Heiress" redirect here For the men and women fragrances endorsed by Paris Hilton see Heiress (fragrance. Motivating factors for such a marriage tend to be social or economic, i. e. , the interests of the family or community goals served by the marriage are seen as paramount, and the preference of the individual is considered insignificant. Family denotes a group of People affiliated by consanguinity affinity or co-residence In biological terms a community is a group of interacting Organisms sharing an environment.

• In a child marriage, children, or even infants, are married. Child marriage usually refers to two separate social phenomena which are practiced in some societies The married children often live apart with their respective families until well after puberty. Child marriages are typically made for economic or political reasons. In rural India and several other countries, the requirement of providing a dowry for daughters is generally acknowledged to be a contributing factor to female infanticide. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country A dowry (also known as trousseau or tocher) is the money goods or estate that a woman brings to her soon to be husband in marriage Sex-selective abortion is the targeted Abortion of a Fetus based upon its Sex.

• In a shotgun wedding, the groom is forced to marry the bride due to unplanned pregnancy (or other reasons). A shotgun wedding is a Wedding that is arranged to avoid embarrassment due to an unplanned Pregnancy, rather than out of the desire of the participants It is given this colloquial name from the traditional method of force used; holding a shotgun to the groom's head until he is married. This can also be classified as a forced marriage. Although it is worth noting that the concept came about before the invention of the shotgun. A shotgun (also known as a scattergun) is a Firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number Laws of Old Testament Israel said that if an unmarried couple engages in extramarital sex the female can force the man to marry her or pay a fine. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. ^[1] A reason is never given in the text, but it is likely predicated on the text's specification that the woman was a virgin; no longer being a virgin, it would be difficult for her to find a marriage, and so her sexual partner must marry her to provide for her well-being. Alternatively, it could be based on family honor, i. e. it was shameful for her to have had relations without being married, and it would be all the more shameful if she had a child out of wedlock.

Coercion to marry is commonly considered a violation of fundamental human rights in most Western societies, primarily because of its usurpation of a choice that, in most Western thought, belongs solely to the individuals involved. People can "find themselves stuck in marriages with persons decidedly not of their own choosing. . . whom they may find personally repulsive. "^[2]

A further condemnation of the practice of arranging marriage for economic reasons comes from Edlund and Lagerlöf (2004) who argued that a love marriage is more effective for the promotion of accumulation of wealth and societal growth. ^[3]

Variations

Abuses aside, it is ordinarily a fundamental tenet of arranged marriage that the union is a choice made voluntarily by the two people involved. . The main variation in procedure between arranged marriages is in the nature and duration of the time from meeting to engagement. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE-ROMEOS***************

In an introduction only arranged marriage, the parents may only introduce their son or daughter to a potential spouse. The parents may briefly talk to the parents of the prospective spouse. From that point on, it is up to the children to manage the relationship and make a choice. There is no set time period. This is still common in the rural parts of North America/South America, and especially in India. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The same pattern also appears in Japan. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. This type of arranged marriage is very common in Iran under the name of khastegary. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. It should be noted that this open-ended process takes considerably more courage on the part of the parents, as well as the prospective spouses, in comparison to a fixed time-limit arranged marriage. Especially women, but also men, fear the stigma and emotional trauma of going through a courtship and then being rejected.

To contrast, a traditional arranged marriage may be finalized in the first meeting. The parents or matchmaker select the pair, there is no possibility of courtship, and only limited conversation between the prospective partners is permitted (while the parents are present); then the prospective partners are expected to decide whether to proceed with the marriage. The parents may exert considerable pressure to encourage the potential bride or bridegroom to agree to the match. The parents may wish the match to proceed because the son or daughter is beginning to engage in courtship (and the parents disapprove of courtship)^[4], the parents believe that they know best what kind of partner will make a happy marriage, the parents seek to fulfill the desire for parental control, or for other reasons.

A more moderate and flexible procedure known as a modern arranged marriage is gaining in popularity. Parents choose several possible candidates or employ a Matrimonials Sites. Marriage websites, or online matrimonial sites, are a variation of the standard dating websites with a focus on those wanting marriage rather than simply dating The parents will then arrange a meeting with the family of the prospective mate, confining their role to responsible facilitators and well-wishers. Less pressure to agree to the match is exerted by the parents in comparison to a traditional arranged marriage.

In some cases, a prospective partner may be selected by the son or daughter instead of by the parents or by a matchmaker. In such cases, the parents will either disapprove of the match and forbid the marriage or, just as likely, approve the match and agree to proceed with the marriage. Such cases are distinct from a love marriage because courtship is curtailed or absent and the parents retain the prerogative to forbid the match.

A culture of arranged marriage

In cultures where dating, singles' bars, etc. , are not prevalent, arranged marriages perform a similar function--bringing together people who might otherwise not have met. In such cultures, arranged marriage is viewed as the norm and preferred by young adults. Even where courtship practices are becoming fashionable, young adults tend to view arranged marriage as an option they can fall back on if they are unable or unwilling to spend the time and effort necessary to find a spouse on their own. In such cases, the parents become welcome partners in a hunt for marital bliss. Further, in several cultures, the last duty of a parent to his or her son or daughter is to see that they pass through the marital rites.

In some cultures, arranged marriage is a tradition handed down through many generations. Parents who take their son or daughter's marriage into their own hands have themselves been married by the same process. Many parents, and children likewise, feel pressure from the community to conform, and in certain cultures a love marriage or even courtship is considered a failure on the part of the parents to maintain control over their child. A love marriage is a union of two parties based upon affection and a mutual attraction between the individuals Courtship is the traditional dating period before engagement and marriage The practice of arranged marriage with such thoughts is absolutely unacceptable. In such cultures, children are brought up with these cultural assumptions do not feel stifled. They experience them as natural boundaries. The stratification of society using caste system and its involvement in marriage is often experienced by most of the Indian parents.

Parents in some communities fear social and/or religious stigma if their child is not married by a certain age. Several cultures deem the son or daughter less likely to find a suitable partner if they are past a certain age, and consider it folly to try to marry them off at that stage.

In these societies, including China, the intragenerational relationship of the family is much more valued than the marital relationship. The whole purpose of the marriage is to have a family. ^[5]

Factors considered in matchmaking

Although matchmaking primarily on an economic or legal basis is harshly criticized, such considerations are often factors of secondary importance and significantly influence the rank order of a potential spouse.

Some of these factors in some order of priority may be taken into account for the purpose of matchmaking:

• Reputation of the family

• Vocation: For a groom, the profession of doctor, accountant, lawyer, engineer, or scientist are traditionally valued as excellent spouse material. Reputation is the opinion (more technically a social evaluation of the public toward a Person, a group of people, or an Organization. A vocation is an occupation for which a person is suited trained or qualified More recently, any profession commanding relatively high income is also given preference. Vocation is less important for a bride but it is not uncommon for two people of the same vocation to be matched. Some preferred vocations for a bride include the profession of teacher, doctor, or lawyer.

• Wealth: Families holding substantial assets may prefer to marry to another wealthy family. Wealth derives from the old English word "weal" which means "well-being

• Appearance: There may be a preference that beauty and weight be comparable. In India the bride is expected to be as fair-skinned as possible.

• Religion: The religious and spiritual beliefs can play a large role in finding a suitable spouse. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos

• Pre-existing medical conditions: Two persons with a physical deformity or disability who are otherwise marriageable may be matched. Medicine is the art and science of healing It encompasses a range of Health care practices evolved to maintain and restore Human Health by the

• Horoscope: Numerology and the positions of stars at birth is often used in Indian culture to predict the success of a particular match. In Astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun Moon planets the Astrological aspects, and sensitive angles The culture of India has been shaped by the long History of India, its unique geography and the absorption of customs traditions and ideas from some of its neighbors This is sometimes expressed as a percentage, for example, a 70% match. Horoscope becomes a determining factor is one of the partners is Mângalik (lit. , negatively influenced by Mars).

• Dietary preference: Vegetarian or omnivore (often automatically determined by the caste among Hindus)

• Height: Typically the groom should be taller than the bride. Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes Meat (including game and slaughter by-products Fish (including Shellfish and other sea Omnivores (from Latin omne all everything vorare to devour are species that eat both Plants and Animals as their primary Castes are Hereditary systems of occupation, Endogamy, social culture, Social class, and Political power.

• Age difference: Typically the groom should be older than the bride.

• Other factors: City of residence, education level, etc.

Caste

Among most Indian Hindus, the hereditary system of caste (Hindi: jâti) is an extremely important factor in arranged marriage. Castes are Hereditary systems of occupation, Endogamy, social culture, Social class, and Political power. Arranged marriages, and parents, almost always require that the married persons should be of the same caste. China adopted the caste system at least 100 years ago. Sometimes inter-caste marriage is one of the principal reasons of familial rejection or anger with the marriage. The proof can be seen by the numerous Indian marriage websites on the Worldwide Web, most of which are by caste. Even within the caste, there is obligation, followed strictly by many communities, to marry (their son/daughter) outside the gotra (sub-caste or clan). For the Wasp Genus, see Gotra (wasp A Gotra is the Lineage E. g. , most Vaishyas (the business/merchant caste) prohibit marriage within the same gotra, because being of the same lineage the spouses would be though of (almost) as brother and sister. The Hindu varna (class System, a Vaishya ( Sanskrit वैश्य vaiśya) is a member of the third of the four classes of traditional It must however be noted that modern India, being a secular democracy, does not prohibit inter-caste or intra-gotra marriage (by the Hindu Marriage Act), but neither does it prohibit the caste system completely (only caste discrimination is prohibited). Caste Associations are still very much legal (sometimes they call themselves by more acceptable names, like samâj, lit. , society). Recently, one of such caste associations fined its member (a state legislator) for permitting his son's inter-caste marriage: A Congress MLA from Chhattisgarh had to pay a fine of Rs 24,000 to the community he belongs to following his son’s inter-caste marriage. ^[6]

On the other hand, many Indian families who consider the caste system as an artificial excuse for social inequity have the opposite preference. They prefer to marry persons of differing caste and tend to avoid matches within the same caste. It is believed that intercaste marriages weaken the caste system and thus reduce social inequality caused by the caste stratification. Such families are also often open to marriages across national borders. But even among them are some families who, if of the upper castes, will not accept marriage with the so-called low castes (like dalits)

Immigration

In few arranged marriages, one potential spouse may reside in a wealthy country and the other in a poorer country. Dalit is a self designation for group of people of South Asian descent who were traditionally regarded as untouchables or low Caste. For example, the man may be an American of Indian ancestry and the woman may be an Indian living in India who will move to America after the marriage. Alternately, the man or woman may be a citizen of the United States of America and the other person is in Russia or another country and is willing to move to the USA after the marriage. The arrangement may be accomplished by a business created for such a purpose.

Positive points

• The parents of the wealthy man may feel secure knowing that their son is to marry a person of their own country and traditional culture rather a woman corrupted by Western influences.
• The parents of the bride hope that their daughter enjoys a higher standard of living.
• Couples and their parents need not have to cope up with differing cultural and social backgrounds.

Negative points

• Couples may be incompatible due to cultural differences. One spouse may retain traditional values while the other spouse has accepted practices of the country he or she is living in. ^[7]
• The time window available for the entire process is narrow. Prospective brides must be lined up for a series of meetings when the man is able to take leave to travel to his home country. The decision must be finalized and the marriage registered before he leaves so that visa formalities for his wife can be commenced immediately. Sometimes two or three visits (over as many years) are required to sort out all the legal details.
• The two parties cannot directly meet without traveling to the other country. The upfront cost increases the pressure to make a decision yet less is known about the prospective mate because of the great distance separating the two.
• Limited choice: In some cases, the parents may mandate that the bride must originate from their son's home country.

See also Mail-order bride

Arguments against Arranged Marriage

Against

Amongst the arguments against arranged marriage, the most prominent are:

• Arranged marriage may prove loveless. Mail-order bride is a label applied to a woman who publishes her intent to marry someone from another - usually more developed - country Some people dislike the prospect of being married to someone they do not already love. Partners in an arranged marriage are usually less likely to divorce for cultural reasons, so if the marriage does not work well, it can be a trap, particularly for the female partner, who is often disempowered (socially and economically).

• Individuals are the best arbiters of their own lives. Arranged marriage can be a great denial of individual rights—of the self. This argument is often rebutted with the substantial asymmetry of knowledge about marriage between the person wishing to get married and the third-party. The parents or matchmaker likely have been married for more than 20 years whereas the person wishing to be married has no experience (at least for a first marriage).

• In developed countries arranged marriages are often used as a form of colonization. Arranged marriages are often used by people who have not integrated into the host nation as a way to marry and maintain what they see as their culture even though they may be second or third generation descendants of the original immigrants. This can lead to racial tension in the host country.

• In case of countries like India, arranged marriages almost always encourage the continued existence of the caste system in the society.

Issues common to both arranged and love marriage

• Although cultures have built several safeguards against fraud (such as the family's reputation being at stake), there are instances where a key fact is left out during the process of the marriage, only to be learned afterwards. An example might be if one of the spouses has a medical condition that is not disclosed before marriage. Although the marriage may not have occurred had that condition been disclosed prior to marriage, it is very difficult to leave afterwards and there may be no legal recourse. A legal recourse is an action that can be taken by an individual or a corporation to attempt to remedy a legal difficulty

• Parents and other relatives who have been involved in the marriage arrangements have an emotional investment in the success of the marriage and form a valuable support group to the couple. If there are problems in the marriage, well-meaning elders may intervene to sort things out. Of course, this is a two-edged sword — outside interference can often make things worse between a couple.

References

• USA Today article

See also

• Shim-pua marriage
• Child marriage
• Marriage of convenience
• Shidduch
• Bride kidnapping
• Matrimonials Sites
• Matchmaker
• Marriage in South Korea
• Marriage in Pakistan
• Arranged marriages in India
• Arranged marriages in Japan
• Wedding celebrations in the Radom region

Shim-pua marriage ( Taiwanese: sin-pū-á, sim-pū-á), also known as Tong Yang Xi （ Chinese: 童養媳) in Chinese was Child marriage usually refers to two separate social phenomena which are practiced in some societies A marriage of convenience (plural marriages of convenience) is a Marriage contracted for reasons other than the reasons of relationship family or love The Shidduch ( Hebrew: שידוך pl shidduchim שידוכים is a system of Matchmaking in which Jewish singles are introduced Bride kidnapping, also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a form of Marriage practiced in some traditional cultures in countries Marriage websites, or online matrimonial sites, are a variation of the standard dating websites with a focus on those wanting marriage rather than simply dating Matchmaking is any process of introducing people for the purposes of Dating and Mating, usually in the context of Marriage. Marriage for South Koreans is similar to that of their Western counterparts but has unique features of its own Marriage in Pakistan is seen as the most standard and stable living form for adults Arranged marriages have the tradition in Indian society for centuries Miai ( 見合い literally "looking at each other" or omiai (the "o" is honorific is a Japanese custom whereby unattached individuals are introduced Wedding celebrations in the region surrounding Radom, a city in central Poland, were quite unusual for Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries in that

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