Arranged marriages have been a useful tool for the consolidation of power and wealth; and also a means to manage poverty. For monarchys and nobility in Europe marriage was a tool that solidified alliances, and dictated politics. Often times the patriarchs of these families would marry off their children, or even distant relatives, in order to irreversably link the two families to serve the same interests. Another reason the an arranged marriage might have been forced is to protect an inheritance. In many cultures it was once impossible for land or wealth to be passed to females. Many times, in order to protect the family fortune, father's would marry the daughters. This ensured that the wealth didn't just pass away from the family to a distant …show more content…
Orthodox Jews often participate in arranged marriages because the Torah tells them that it is a bond which is commanded by god. Traditionally these marriages were arranged. But Orthodox Jews have strict rules that surround this practice. For example a significant age gap between the two spouses is considered unlawful, and the female must agree to the marriage for it to be a true marriage. Though, early teen marriage is not always discouraged in this culture it is being practiced less and less. In Hinduism, marriage is between two partners so that they may embark on their earthly journey and pursue duty, possessions, physical desires, and spiritual release. Traditionally these marriages have been arranged as to maintain their castes. The use of astrological charts at the time of birth, which are then studied by their priests, is a common method of selecting partners. Many Muslim's believe in the validity of the arranged marriage in part because the Quran gives it recognition, and also because of their long tradition of it's practice. The Quran also allows polygyny, though they are only allowed to have four wives. The practice of polygyny has declined in many Islamic countries, though is still practiced in up to 150 countries around the
Throughout history, especially in the fifteenth century, it was extremely rare for a woman to choose her husband. The majority of marriages were planned by the head of the household, which was usually the father of the bride or groom. The purposes of these marriages were to gain power and social standings. This in turn also provided the chance for the heirs of the marriages to have possession of power, territory/land, and a set social standard for the family for all future heirs. This was more of a benefit for the men than the women, for the men could own territories and be the head of the household, women could not. Instead, a woman’s obligation was to fulfill their family’s jurisdiction in their future.
Arranged marriages are typically not practiced in the United States, however, they are still a part of other cultures. While arranged marriages are often seen as a barbaric or outdated practice, they can still be successful. It may not seem important to study arranged marriages since they are not widely practiced in modern America or other western cultures but some benefits of arranged marriages found could be used to lessen the negative image western civilizations have about cultures that continue the practice of arranged marriages. There are definitely drawbacks in the practice of arranged marriage but there are also benefits that are often overlooked.
Marriage at the time focused on a heterosexual relationship between a man and woman. Kirsti S. Thomas, explains that marriage did not concern the true love element that exists in the typical marriages of today. At the time of Shakespeare, she states that marriage "served to transfer wealth or property and to continue the family line" (2). Marriages were the result of socially and economically oriented environments, similar to the caste system in India. According to a web source specializing in Renaissance weddings, such couplings of ".arranged marriages of the upper class were decided when the bride and groom were young, usually ten to eleven years.
There are ancient and modern sources that comment on the idea of arranged marriages for the Samurai. Professor Emeritus Mikiso Hane, an internationally renowned scholar of Japanese history, wrote a book, Premodern Japan: A Historical Survey, which mentions the idea of arranging marriages. He states, “…The samurai built his power structure by extending his family ties to all his blood relations, enlarging it further by marriage connections…”(Hane 71). The Samurai built their power structure on the marriages, which meant that they were a very prominent part in helping the Samurai rise to a higher position. The political marriages often had no love between them and were very unstable (Samurai Warrior DVD). There are other sources that also talk about this rule. Modern historian Eleanor J. Hall also commented on the idea of arranged marriages in her book, Life Among the Samurai. She wrote, “Marriages were arranged by parents and elders, and mates were selected to further the interests of the clan (Hall 67)”. Marriages were not only arranged by the parents, but also by the elders of the clan. This shows that marriages were important because a great deal of preparation went into them. A Samurai also had to decide the best marriage possible so that it would benefit the clan. These rules affected the amount of power a Samurai’s family had,
a huge role in deciding who to marry, rich men went for women of the
In those times marriage was similar to a business deals not like today. Good marriage ensured safety for the family. For women, marriage was the only chance to improve their social status. Although marring for money today is almost unheard of for working class people it is very normal with some couples.
Nowadays we live in a world which is full of choices and the choice of the person you would like to merry is one of the most important one. It is really hard to decide whether this person is really “yours” or it is just the illusion. Thus, can it be a better way to have somebody who decides who will you be married to? Some people think it is unfair because person doesn’t have the right of choice but the others think that arranged marriages are a good choice. Free choice marriage is a marriage in which both partners choose each other by themselves and the choice is based on factors such as physical attraction, the desire for emotional stability, love, similar outlooks, personalities, interests etc. However this is not the only way to choose. In arranges marriages the partner is selected by elder family members but the young people may have the right to veto the choice if they strongly disagree with it. There are definitely pros and cons of both and only after taking them into consideration person can decide which to choose: arranged or free choice marriage.
Marriages were arranged. Because girls lived such sheltered lives, they usually had never even met the men their fathers agreed for them to marry. Men were mostly in their twenties when they got married, the girls were usually 15.
Arranged marriage is much more effortless and like a short cut of love because the tedious and intricate process of maintaining the relationship and dating is omitted and they are under the influence of the same culture, share the same religious conviction and grow up in a similar social class. Individuals incline to an unvarnished and easeful lifestyle and the marriage does not occupy as the same ratio of life as five to ten years ago. On the one hand, boys may save the money which is used on dating because they do not need to buy too many things that pleased the girl. Moreover, in several circumstances, a date or a courtship is quite embarrassing and time-consuming especially for the adults who were forced to have a date under the pressure of their parents even from their grandparents. On the other hand, the spouse can cut down on the daily expense because their children will be nursed by their parents rather than babysitters and their children can live in a warm environment and a harmony atmosphere and feel more comfortable without strangers. Arranged marriages, according to the marriage experience of the parents and the marriage agency, alw...
Traditional arranged marriages were arranged by the parents. They arranged the child's future spouse with little or no input from the child being taken as having final authority ("Arranged marriage"). If the child refuses the choice of their parents, the parents may choose another possible spouse or the child may be punished or disowned (or in rare cases, killed accidentally in the heat of passion or intentionally with legal authority to do so). In traditional arranged marriages, the child had no real input in the wedding. They have no say in who they will marry.
Girls all over the world are forced into marriages due to financial necessity, tradition and to ensure their future. Most of these girls married are at a young age: “One third of the world’s girls are married before the age of 18 and 1 in 9 are married before the age of 15”( “Child Marriage Facts and Figures”). The young ages of those being married reveal how crucial it is to resolve this problem. When child marriage occurs the parents of the bride usually chose the groom for their daughters; and these grooms can be three times older than the young brides. Some children are brought into the world of marriage at the of 8 or sometimes less depending on their cultural views. The following can be used to help reduce the impact of early marriage: reinforcing laws that are passed against child marriages, and providing information on contraceptives to victims of early marriage. The most efficient way of resolving the problem of child marriage is through educating the people who practice it about its adverse effects.
During the Mesopotamia period, the first ever recorded marriage contract and ceremony dates to 4000 years ago. Woman had no rights in their marriage, even the lower class had no say in marriage, and therefore wives could not divorce unless the husband asked for it. Husbands were allowed to divorce their wife if she didn’t fulfill her duties (give birth to children.) During the Mesopotamia period, marriage was not because the two people loved each other, but because of preserving power, fathers’ of ruling class would even marry off their daughters. By doing this, it allowed the families to form alliances, acquire land, and produce legitimate heirs. Future husband, and bride-to-be’s father agreed on a contract that was a price for the maiden’s hand. If the marriage did not go well, and they divorced the father-in-law was entitled to satisfaction. The contract they made, had said, that if a child was not born, the husband got...
Arranged Marriage In general, arranged marriage has provided people with fundamental principles about the importance of marriage and how a person can find happiness. Arranged marriage defines marriage between a man and a woman, which arranged by the couple's parents and relatives based on family ties and traditions. Although marriage is described as the oldest and enduring human institution, the reasons for marrying have differed from culture to culture. In common circumstances, cultural, religious, economic, age, educational level, and racial factors play a role in determining who the person can marry and the form of marriage. Some statistics find that the rate of divorce is low in arranged marriages and high in love marriages.
While arranged marriages are still a common practice, and some girls believe that there are benefits from the arranged marriage, some future brides feel uncertain and scared of getting married because it would mean that they would have to leave the comfort of their home. Not only that, but it is not uncommon for the family of the groom to put extra pressure on their new daughter-in-law. Everything, including her behavior, her clothing, and her housework will be under observation. Whether or not arranged marriages are the best way to create families or find love, it is interesting to see how there is not just one way to get married.
Arranged marriage in India is the traditional and well respected way of getting married. Majority of the elderly were married through someone, some not even being able to see each other till after the wedding ceremony. Now a day families are a bit more lenient about getting the approvals of both bride and groom before setting a wedding a day. In some parts of India, arrange marriages are still a business transaction or marrying of little children due to poverty. Arranged marriages are still very common in royalties and high caste people to practice maintaining their status.