Research over Arranged Marriages

Heather Kuykendall                                                                                   Christy Vercher

English 2B                                                                                                  January 5, 2017

Arranged Marriage in India

        Did you know that an average of 4% of couples who have arranged marriages get divorced? That number is over ten times less than the divorce rate of marriages in the U.S. Many people have different views on arranged marriage. Many just judge by what their told instead of stepping in other’s shoes and looking at it from their point of view. Arranged marriages in India are influenced by Indian culture and are used to unite families. Often, arranged marriages are successful, Indian families are united through arranged marriages, and arranged marriages are part of the Indian culture.

        Arranged marriages have triumphed over self-arranged marriages. Many believe we are forced into these marriages and are unhappy. But I think I speak for a lot of us when I say that we would rather have it this way. My husband and I didn’t meet until our wedding day and now here we are 29 years later with three children and we couldn’t be happier (Pari Kumar). According to a 2012 study by Statistic Brain, the global divorce rate for arranged marriages was 6 percent — a significantly low number. Compared to the 55 percent of marriages in the world that are arranged, this low statistic shows the success rate of arranged marriages (Times of India). A 2013 IPSOS survey found that 74% of young Indians (18-35 years old) prefer an arranged marriage over a free-choice one. Other sources report that as many as 90% of all Indian marriages are arranged (Psychology Today). As you can see from the information provided, arranged marriages are successful most of the time and many Indians prefer having an arranged marriage. Which brings us to the question, why do Indians have arranged marriages?

      Arranged marriages go way back in the Indian culture. It is a tradition to them. Although arranged marriages did not originate in India, over time they became a huge part of their culture (Psychology Today). Arranged marriages go back many years, in many different places. Japan and China both have arranged marriages. However, the most well-known ethnicity that participate in arranged marriages would be India. India’s timeline goes far back when talking about arranged marriages (Psychology Today). Arranged are somewhat based off the religions Hinduism and Muslim. But, it was also a choose made by the culture itself. In Hinduism, it is believed that marriage is very important in someone’s life and if someone were to not get married they are pretty much damned. So, people who practiced this religion thought it was best to have their children married as soon as possible. That being said, they picked their future spouse so the process would go by faster (Larson Jewelers). All in all, arranged marriage is a huge part of the Indian culture. The people have made arranged marriage into a tradition to make sure their children are married and settled with someone as soon as possible. This also brings families together which is the next topic.