Arranged marriage is a type of marital union where the bride and groom are selected by their families, relatives, or matchmakers. The decision to marry is usually based on considerations such as family background, education, financial status, and compatibility between the couple.
In an arranged marriage, the families of the prospective bride and groom take the lead in finding a suitable match and arranging the marriage ceremony. The couple may or may not have met or known each other before the engagement or marriage, but they usually have the opportunity to get to know each other and build a relationship after the engagement.
Advantages of arranged marriage:
- Support from family: In arranged marriages, families play an active role in the selection of the partner, and hence they provide a support system to the couple throughout their married life.
- Stable and predictable: As the couple is selected based on various factors such as social status, educational qualifications, family background, etc., arranged marriages are generally considered to be more stable and predictable.
- Cultural and traditional values: Arranged marriages allow families to uphold their cultural and traditional values, which can be important for some people.
- Reduced pressure to impress: Unlike in love marriages where couples try to impress each other, in arranged marriages, couples tend to take time to understand and appreciate each other’s qualities and build a strong bond over time.
Disadvantages of arranged marriage:
- Limited personal choice: In arranged marriages, couples do not have much personal choice in selecting their partner, and the decision is often made by the family members.
- Compatibility issues: Sometimes couples may not be compatible with each other, leading to an unhappy and unsatisfactory married life.
- Pressure to conform: In arranged marriages, there is often a pressure to conform to the expectations of the family and the society, which can be difficult for some individuals.
- Lack of romantic love: In some arranged marriages, couples may not develop romantic feelings for each other, which can be a major disadvantage for those who value love and passion in their relationships.
Here are the typical steps involved in an arranged marriage:
- Identifying Prospective Bride/Groom: The search begins with families and relatives looking for eligible matches for the bride and groom. They consider factors such as age, appearance, individual career, and family status.
- Matching Process: The families or matchmakers go through a screening process to shortlist potential matches based on factors like age, appearance, caste, religion, profession, salary, owned house/car, family status, and horoscope.
- Exchange of Bio-data and Pictures: The families exchange bio-data and pictures of the potential matches. This is an important stage where the authenticity of the information shared is verified.
- Bride/Groom Family Meeting: Once the bio-data and pictures are exchanged, the families meet to discuss further. This is typically the first meeting between the families, where they discuss the compatibility of the bride and groom.
- Bride and Groom Meeting: If the families agree to proceed, the bride and groom meet to get to know each other better. They discuss their likes, dislikes, objectives, and expectations from the marriage.
- Decision: After the bride and groom have met and both families have had discussions, a decision is made. If both parties agree to proceed, the wedding is planned. If there are any objections, the process may start again.
It’s important to note that arranged marriages may have slight variations in the process depending on the culture, religion, and family preferences.