Arranged Marriages

What comes to mind when you hear the words arranged marriage? I am sure a happy, respectful, loving relationship was not what popped into your mind. Arrange marriages are a complex subject, and the concept is perceived as a human rights issue where individuals loose the right to freedom of choice. In saying that, my initial opinion of an arranged marriage was not held in high regard. However, after being introduced to someone who is in the process of an arranged marriage; and conducting my own research; my view changed. Hence I have much regret about my naivety on the concept. This type of marriage, known as a culturally specific decision (Seth, 2008), has been confused with a forced marriage. In summary, researchers have confirmed that individuals in Western society have a miss-informed notion of what truly is an arrange marriage.

My original concept of an arrange marriage was negative for the reason that I assumed individuals were deprived of human rights, in result, loosing the right to choose. It was difficult for me to fathom that individuals, usually young girls, were being made to marry a total stranger, generally an older man; the notion sounded absurd. This sort of thing still does happen however it is not the essence of arranged marriage; it is an involuntary marriage (Seth, 2009). Marriage to me signifies a communion of two people who love each other deeply and want to bind that love with a ceremony of a long life commitment. In a western society the tradition of arranging a marriage is frowned upon and is considered an out dated and ancient concept (Trapp, 2009). In saying that, however, more and more people are warming to the idea in the 21st Century (Seth, 2009); for instance shows like Farmer Wants a Wife and The ...

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