- #1
arunbg
- 594
- 0
No, I am not talking of a couple falling in love and arranging a proper wedding ceremony in a chapel and marrying in the presence of their families .
What I mean is the custom of marriage carried out in many Asian countries, especially in the Indian subcontinent, of parents arranging their son's/daughter's wedding when they are of proper age to someone they haven't even seen or met earlier . No love, no nothing and this is not medieval England .
Of course the bride/groom get to voice their preferences regarding their partner to be, while their parents sift through the thousands of resumes trying to find the ideal match .
The situation is made worse by a staunch belief in astrology which requires the "stars" of the likely partners to "match" for the sacred union.
Even the engagement ceremony, in some places, doesn't involve the bride or groom .
In all probability, the first time that the partners are likely to even talk to one another is when the marriage is over .
You might be wondering to yourself , how the alliance even manages to stay together, let alone be happy .
But the fact of the matter is that divorce rates here, are nothing compared to western countries . Go figure .
Love marriages are quite rare, and the couple is usually looked down upon. The Indian film industry, which churns out thousands of movies every year, however has about 98% of the movie themes based on love stories where the hero and heroine overcome all obstacles (including their parents) to finally unite in matrimony .These films are well received which seems quite contradictory to public opinion.
My cousin just got married (arranged of course) and is quite happy, but the question still remains if she would have been happier choosing a partner whom she would have loved, had it not been considered taboo.
I think so .
Arun
What I mean is the custom of marriage carried out in many Asian countries, especially in the Indian subcontinent, of parents arranging their son's/daughter's wedding when they are of proper age to someone they haven't even seen or met earlier . No love, no nothing and this is not medieval England .
Of course the bride/groom get to voice their preferences regarding their partner to be, while their parents sift through the thousands of resumes trying to find the ideal match .
The situation is made worse by a staunch belief in astrology which requires the "stars" of the likely partners to "match" for the sacred union.
Even the engagement ceremony, in some places, doesn't involve the bride or groom .
In all probability, the first time that the partners are likely to even talk to one another is when the marriage is over .
You might be wondering to yourself , how the alliance even manages to stay together, let alone be happy .
But the fact of the matter is that divorce rates here, are nothing compared to western countries . Go figure .
Love marriages are quite rare, and the couple is usually looked down upon. The Indian film industry, which churns out thousands of movies every year, however has about 98% of the movie themes based on love stories where the hero and heroine overcome all obstacles (including their parents) to finally unite in matrimony .These films are well received which seems quite contradictory to public opinion.
My cousin just got married (arranged of course) and is quite happy, but the question still remains if she would have been happier choosing a partner whom she would have loved, had it not been considered taboo.
I think so .
Arun