Arranged Marriage – 1 Essay Example

older than the bride but this may depend on specific cultural context and requires supporting evidence. Other factors that may influence choosing a partner include their city of residence and level of education. Finally, sharing the same mother tongue is often considered essential for a successful match.

[edit] Caste
Caste plays a critical role in arranged marriages for many Indian Hindus. The hereditary system of caste, also known as jati, is seen as an essential factor for parents and families considering potential matches. As such, inter-caste marriages often result in familial rejection or anger towards the couple. Numerous Indian marriage websites are organized by caste, demonstrating its significance. Within the castes themselves, there is often a strict obligation to marry outside of one's gotra (sub-caste or clan).

In modern India, inter-caste or intra-gotra marriage is not prohibited by the Hindu Marriage Act due to the country being a secular democracy. However, the caste system is not completely prohibited and only caste discrimination is prohibited. Caste Associations are still legal, sometimes known as samaj or society. Although there are no legal restrictions, most Vaishyas avoid marrying within the same gotra due to the belief that it would be akin to marrying a sibling because of their shared lineage. A state legislator who allowed their son's inter-caste marriage was recently fined by one of these caste associations.

[7] Some Indian families choose to have inter-caste marriages, which means they do not accept the caste system that supports social inequality. The reason for these marriages is to decrease the influence of the caste system on society and reduce unfair treatment. These families are also open to considering marriage

proposals from other countries.

Although they share the same cultural background, some upper caste families refuse to marry individuals from lower castes, specifically dalits. Arranged marriages can involve partners living in separate countries; one partner may reside in a developed country while the other remains in a developing one. For example, an American man of Indian origin could marry an Indian woman who currently lives in India and will relocate to America after the wedding. Alternatively, one person may hold US citizenship while their partner is willing to move from Russia or another country following their marriage.

It is possible that a specialized organization is responsible for arranging marriages, but this claim lacks citation. Parents may view an improved quality of life for their child as a positive result, and similarities in cultural and social backgrounds between couples and families compared to the host country's culture could also be beneficial. Nonetheless, cultural discrepancies could lead to potential incompatibility between partners who follow traditional values versus those who have assimilated practices from the host country.

[8] The process of finding a spouse and completing the necessary legal requirements for marriage and visa formalities must take place within a narrow time frame. Potential candidates must be arranged for a series of meetings, requiring travel to their home country when leave is possible. Finalizing the decision and registering the marriage must be done before departure to commence visa formalities. It may require two or three visits spread over several years to complete all legal details. Direct meetings between the two parties are not possible without traveling to the other country.

The pressure to make a decision can increase due to the upfront

cost, while the great distance between the prospective mates can make it difficult to know them well. Additionally, in certain instances, the parents may require that the bride or groom come from their son or daughter's country of origin, limiting choices.