

Marriages in the West are often based on ambiguous feelings of which the average person is not under full control – especially at the beginning of a relationship. It eliminates the ambiguity of a relationship. “I do not doubt that the life experience gained from past relationships can teach us something about ourselves,” says Al-Marashi, “but that does not mean that there is less opportunity for self-discovery and growth from within a committed relationship.” She says that being with one partner doesn’t limit one’s path to self-knowledge – it’s just a different way to walk.Ĥ. Men average six serious relationships, and women average five if they choose marriage independently. People constantly ask if that boyfriend or girlfriend is “the one.” It is not unusual for well-meaning friends to ask how someone can know that they’ll get married if they haven’t dated several others in the past. The Western dating scene means that you are under constant pressure to date numerous people to see what type of person you’d like to settle in with for a serious relationship. You can know what you want in a partner without the pain of past relationships. “Not only were we raised with the same religion and traditions,” writes Al-Marashi, “but we both embraced them and wanted to carry them on… I have already lost so many of my family’s culture and traditions, and I appreciated having a spouse that can help me pass down as much of my heritage to my children as possible.ģ. Protestant in the United States can create conflict in families based on where the ceremony will be held or how the children are raised.

Something as simple as being Catholic vs. If you meet someone independently, there could be religious, educational, and occupational barriers in the way. When there is an arranged marriage, then there are fewer cultural differences to navigate as you progress toward being a long-term couple. Sharing values and traditions means there is one less obstacle. “Clear intentions are a fast track to intimate and deep conversation,” writes Huda Al-Marashi for Self, who has been in an arranged marriage for over 20 years, “and right away, we were able to talk openly about the issues that really matter in a relationship – compatibility, values, and goals.”Ģ. When you have an idea that matrimony is the intent of the relationship, then everyone can be clear about their expectations from the start. For those who have gone through an arranged marriage, there is an advantage to consider when skipping this perspective. Having someone unexpectedly propose seems like it would be a magical moment. There are many people who want the element of surprise in their romantic relationships, much like you can see on the silver screen.

You already know what the goal of the relationship is when you first start dating. List of the Advantages of Arranged Marriageġ. There are certainly some advantages to consider when a partner is chosen for you with an arranged marriage, but some disadvantages persist with this pairing even in the cultures that continue to practice it. Couples who eventually get married through an arrangement usually meet each other and agree to a courtship facilitated by their family. Different communities around the world force people together into a relationship they do not want for the betterment of the family or the culture. It is imperative to remember that an arranged marriage is not a forced partnership. They were childhood friends, or their families met often, and the relationship between the bride and groom could grow because there was more than blind emotion fueling the pairing.

The bride and groom may have little say in the matter because their parents and extended relatives negotiate the relationship as if it were a business arrangement.Īlthough some people see this idea as a forced betrothal, many of the couples who come together in this way grew up together. An arranged marriage occurs when a couple embraces the legal bonds of matrimony because of the planning and agreement of their guardians or families.
