Arrange Marriage

When asked to think of arrangedarrangedarranged marriagemarriagemarriage, most Westerners visualize a forced marriagemarriagemarriage, in which the couple did not meet beforehand and had no say in the final decision. Forced marriages are outlawed in most countries of the world, because they are believed to be cruel and abusive, and most supporters of arrangedarrangedarranged marriages do not support forced marriagemarriagemarriage. A forced marriagemarriagemarriage can be an unpleasant experience for both parties, especially when they belong to a culture which does not permit divorce. Women, especially, can be victims of forced marriages which cause them to enter a state of virtual slavery.
The more modern arrangedarrangedarranged marriagemarriagemarriage involves a negotiation between the parents of a bride or groom and the parents of multiple prospective spouses. The parents create a short list of spouses who they think would be good matches for their children, and introduce the children to each spouse individually, sometimes allowing them to have some time alone to talk.
Ultimately, the children choose for themselves, although they choose from a list of parentally approved potential partners. However, if either party is not receptive to the idea of a marriagemarriagemarriage, negotiations are called off. These arrangedarrangedarranged marriages can result in a strong life-long partnership.
Some parents also merely offer introductions and encouragement, but do not take an active role otherwise. Modern supporters of arrangedarrangedarranged marriagemarriagemarriage see this as an acceptable compromise between a love marriagemarriagemarriage, which is made entirely between the potential spouses, and a traditional arrangedarrangedarranged marriagemarriagemarriage, in which the parents are heavily involved.
An introduction is usually followed by a brief courtship, and if the children are amendable, they may choose to marry.
The idea of making arrangedarrangedarranged marriages for social, political, and economic means is still widespread. Parents may try to match their children with spouses in other countries, where they think their children have a better chance of success, or may try to marry into a more wealthy family. However, the goal of happiness is also said to be an important part of arrangedarrangedarranged marriages. In cultures where arrangedarrangedarranged marriagemarriagemarriage is still practiced, parents regard marriagemarriagemarriage as a sacred duty, and want to ensure that their children are provided for. They strive to make matches which please their children, and some couples in arrangedarrangedarranged marriages have said that while their partnership did not start out with love, the spouses grew affection for each other and form a committed team.
Many supporters of arrangedarrangedarranged marriages say that the divorce rate is lower for these types of marriages, and use this as evidence to support the practice.
However, divorce is not encouraged in many nations where arrangedarrangedarranged marriagemarriagemarriage is practiced, and the couple may also be afraid to divorce because of social pressure. Although arrangedarrangedarranged marriages may be happier than traditional marriages, unhappy and abused spouses can exist anywhere. If a clear freedom of choice exists for both members of the potential couple, many think that the marriagemarriagemarriage will have a better chance of success.