The Act Of Shadi Theology Religion Essay Example

family members. Adultery is generally viewed as violating the terms of this marital commitment in societies that recognize "Shadi" marriage. This form of marriage is typically acknowledged by governments or religious advisors (or both) and can be seen as an agreement between parties involved. Political marriage refers to the legal aspect of "Shadi" marriage regardless of religious affiliation based on jurisdiction-specific regulations on marriages. Regardless if it is recognized by government institutions or religious bodies or accepted by society at large, "Shadi" marriage has significant impacts on individuals' personal lives and social status. According to Confucius' teachings, marriage serves as a means to unite two families through friendship and love while aiming to continue lineage and appoint leaders within cultural and religious contexts."Edmund Leach criticized Gough's narrow definition of marriage, which focused solely on the production of legitimate offspring. Instead, Leach proposed a broader perspective that encompasses the establishment of rights within different categories. In this view, marriage is seen as a conventional relationship between an adult female and one or more individuals. Its purpose is to ensure that any child born to her receives equal birth rights as other members of society. People enter into marriages for various reasons, including legal, social, emotional, economic, religious, and spiritual motives. These motivations can involve fulfilling societal obligations, forming a legally recognized nuclear family unit, protecting children's welfare, and publicly declaring commitment to one another.

Duran Bell argued that in order to have a culturally universal understanding of marriage it is important to define husband and wife clearly while also distinguishing between partners and lovers. According to Bell,marriage is an institution where men are socially supported in

their rights to women.Marriage customs vary greatly across cultures; however, almost every known society has some form of marriage between a man and a woman. In some societies, individuals are limited to being in one couple at a time (monogamy), while others allow men to have multiple wives (polygyny) or, less commonly, women to have multiple husbands (polyandry). In our society, matrimony is conducted according to Islamic laws but is also influenced by regional customs. Marriage is traditionally viewed as the most typical and accepted form of union for adults. It represents not only a bond between a man and a woman but also an alliance between their families. This emphasis on family plays a significant role in the success of marriages, especially in rural areas of Pakistan. Both partners have responsibilities towards their parents and families, which establish a cultural framework for daily affairs. Due to this strong emphasis on family roles, arranged marriages are very common throughout Pakistan. Arranged marriage refers to when someone other than the couple arranges the marriage, such as their family or relatives. Once married, the couple typically avoids or discourages dating. Arranged marriage is practiced in parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East while non-arranged marriages are prevalent in Western countries. Both types of marriages exist today.Mehndiratta et al. (2007) stressed the difference between arranged marriages and forced marriages, with the latter being a marriage without consent or against one's will. Forced marriages are still prevalent in various regions including South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Western Europe, North America, and Africa. These marriages are often driven by factors such as family pride, parental desires, or

societal obligations. In some cultures, love marriages or courtships are seen as disappointing for parents who want control over their child and may face community pressure to conform to this practice. It is important to distinguish between arranged and forced marriages in order to prevent tragic outcomes.

Arranged marriages reflect the values of parents and can be significant in societies where opportunities for social interactions among unmarried individuals are limited. Compensation marriage (also known as vanni, swara or sang chatti) is a form of forced marriage that exists in certain parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Although it has been banned, arranged marriage continues to be primarily practiced in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa state. This cultural practice can also be found in Sub-Saharan Africa and specific regions of the Middle East. The timing and ceremonial aspects of marriage are heavily influenced by cultural norms and values. In pluralistic societies, diverse marital arrangements often depend on cultural group identification.
Arranged marriages have historical roots among royal families worldwide, including Europe. They are prevalent in South Asia, the Middle East, and to some extent East Asia. Other groups, like the Amalgamation Church, also practice arranged marriage. It's important to distinguish arranged marriage from forced marriage.

Arranged marriages are commonly seen in Indian, traditional European, and African cultures, especially among royalty. In these cultures, parents or older family members take responsibility for arranging the marriages. The process of pairing a boy and girl can involve various means such as parents, matchmaking representatives, marriage websites, or trusted third parties.

Presbyters or spiritual leaders as well as relatives and family friends often play significant roles in the matchmaking process in many communities. Arranged marriage is deeply ingrained

in certain cultures where parents who themselves had arranged marriages arrange their children's unions.

Both parents and children may face societal pressure to adhere to this tradition as love marriages or courtships may disappoint parents seeking control over their offspring.In societies such as China, marriage is seen as a means to strengthen family unity rather than solely focusing on romantic aspects. Arranged marriages are prevalent in cultures where dating is not common and bring together individuals who may not have otherwise met. Some young adults consider arranged marriage as a backup option, while others see it as a customary practice. In Indian and Nepali Hindu communities influenced by the caste system, parents actively participate in finding suitable partners for their children. It is often expected that potential spouses come from the same caste, with inter-caste marriages leading to family rejection or anger. The prevalence of Indian matrimonial websites categorized by caste further emphasizes this trend. Moreover, within a caste, many communities strictly adhere to marrying outside their sub-caste or kinship group. However, it should be noted that although India is a secular and egalitarian society, modern laws do not legally prohibit inter-caste or intra-gotra marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act. Among Hindu communities outside South Asia, arranged marriages are less common but have gained popularity among Indian immigrants in the United Kingdom. Pakistani families who oppose the caste system view it as a pretext for social injustice and therefore prefer inter-caste marriages instead of matches within their own caste.The belief is that by weakening the caste system and reducing societal inequality caused by caste stratification, arranged marriages can have a positive impact. These unions often transcend

national boundaries. Arranged marriages are prevalent in the Muslim world, including Pakistan, and are typically based on family connections. However, young Muslims in the U.S. often face conflicts with their families over arranged marriages due to tensions between family traditions and their desire for independence. The practice of arranging marriages is seen as a way to ensure a stable future for children in Pakistani households.

In Pakistan, there is a custom called Watta Satta where brides are exchanged between two families during marriage ceremonies. This tradition is common in rural parts of Sindh and southern Punjab state and accounts for about one-third of all marriages. It establishes an exchange of girls between families and also creates a sense of mutual threat within these unions (Tarabay, 2008).

A study has been conducted focusing on marriage patterns within the community of Kot Sultan. The objectives include observing these patterns, documenting their pros and cons, and exploring customs and traditions related to wedding ceremonies (Jacoby & Mansori, 2005).