Arrange Marriage vs. Love Marriage

Marriage

Marriage is one of the most significant elements of human life, having implications not only for individuals but also for social systems. There are two commonly known forms of marriages in various cultures, namely, arranged marriages and love marriages. Though arranged marriages are commonly associated with convention and family, love marriages deal with choice and romantic love. Each has its strengths and limitations, and one needs to understand them in general.

 Understanding Arranged Marriages

Arranged marriages have been part of many traditional cultures, especially in South Asia, the Middle East, and in parts of Africa. In arranged marriages, families prioritize selecting their offspring's mate in light of social class, history of their family, level of education, and compatibility. The reason is that mature elders make rational choices that end in secure and permanent marriages.

Ø  Benefits of Arranged Marriages:

1.      The Family Stability and Support: Families participate in arranging marriages, and since they are involved, arranged marriages receive strong family support, which reduces conflict and fosters stability.

2.      Shared Values and Backgrounds: Couples share similar financial, religious, and cultural backgrounds, which minimize dramatic differences in lifestyle.

3.      Statistically, arranged marriages tend to be less divorce-prone because they are entered into in a long-term and socially responsible manner.

4.      Guidance of Elders: The elders offer functional and emotional support, counseling couples to overcome marital problems.

Ø  Challenges of Arranged Marriages

1.      Limited Choice of Mate: There is limited personal choice in selecting one's mate, and this can lead to incompatibility or discontent.

2.      Pressure and Expectations: In some cases, parental and social expectations can force individuals to marry against their will.

3.      Time to Nurture Love: Unlike marriages of love, affection and emotional attachment take time to develop, which can be difficult to establish for some.

4.      Mismatch Potential: Even where there is meticulous selecting, there is no guarantee that the mates chosen will be mentally or emotionally compatible.

Ø  Understanding Love Marriages

1.      Contrasting this, love marriages are built upon choice, where individuals select their spouses based upon romantic love, mutual attraction, and bonding. Love marriages became popular with increased levels of education, interconnectedness of the world, and evolving social practices.

2.      Benefits of Love Marriages: Personal freedom: Individuals can marry whomever they want, and this leads to higher levels of personal fulfillment and happiness.

3.      Emotional Compatibility: Having a pre-existent strong emotional connection, couples may find communication and conflict resolution to be less challenging.

4.      More time is spent by couples in love marriages together before they tie the knot, which helps them better understand each other's strengths and weaknesses.

5.      Gender equality in Relationships: Love marriages encourage gender equality since decisions in them are not guided by traditional roles but mutual understanding.

Ø  Challenges of Love Marriages:

1.      The Lack of Family Support: Families may not accept love marriages, and this can create pressure and social problems.

2.      High Rate of Divorce: Love marriages, which are rooted in emotions, may not work well when the romantic phase is over, and couples may face fights and separations.

3.      Cultural and religious differences: In other situations, couples belong to different backgrounds, which results in differences in traditions, religion, and expectations of their respective families.

4.      Social and financial pressures: Couples may experience financial or social pressures if they do not have good family support, especially where marriages are arranged.

Finding a Middle Ground The question of whether arranged or love marriages is better is not easily answered. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, and their success is left to individuals. A growing trend in modern-day societies is a mixture of both systems, which is usually referred to as "arranged love marriages" where families offer potential partners, but they ultimately leave individuals to decide. The hybrid approach assures individuals choice and parental acceptance.