essay about arranged marriage

Essay on Arranged Marriage

Students are often asked to write an essay on Arranged Marriage in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on Arranged Marriage

Introduction.

Arranged marriage is a tradition where families choose the life partners for their children. It’s a practice common in many cultures worldwide.

Understanding Arranged Marriages

In arranged marriages, parents or elder family members select the spouse based on shared values, culture, and compatibility. It’s not about forcing children but about helping them find a suitable partner.

Benefits of Arranged Marriages

Arranged marriages often result in strong bonds as they bring two families together, not just individuals. They also ensure cultural continuity, and compatibility is often high.

Challenges in Arranged Marriages

Sometimes, individuals may feel pressured or unhappy if they don’t share a connection with the chosen partner. It’s important to ensure mutual consent in these marriages.

Also check:

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Arranged Marriage

250 Words Essay on Arranged Marriage

Arranged marriage, an age-old tradition practiced in several cultures worldwide, is a marital union where the bride and groom are selected by a third party rather than by each other. This essay explores the concept, its pros and cons, and the cultural significance of arranged marriages.

Arranged marriages are often confused with forced marriages, but there’s a clear distinction. Arranged marriages involve consent from both parties, while forced marriages don’t. In arranged marriages, families take the lead in choosing potential partners, but the final decision rests with the individuals.

The primary advantage of arranged marriages is compatibility in terms of culture, religion, and socioeconomic status, reducing potential conflicts. Moreover, arranged marriages often foster a deeper sense of family unity and commitment.

Disadvantages

However, arranged marriages have drawbacks. They often limit individual autonomy in choosing a life partner, potentially leading to marital dissatisfaction. Also, they can perpetuate harmful societal norms, such as casteism and sexism.

Cultural Significance

Despite these issues, arranged marriages remain prevalent due to their deep-rooted cultural significance. They symbolize the merging of two families rather than just two individuals and are seen as a means of preserving cultural heritage and values.

In conclusion, arranged marriages are a complex phenomenon, with both merits and demerits. While they can foster stability and cultural continuity, they can also limit personal freedom. As society evolves, so too does the concept of marriage, and it’s crucial to balance tradition with individual rights and happiness.

500 Words Essay on Arranged Marriage

Arranged marriages, a traditional form of matrimony where families or matchmakers select partners, have been practiced for centuries across various cultures. Despite the increasing shift towards love marriages, arranged marriages continue to hold significance in many societies. This essay explores the nuances, merits, and demerits of arranged marriages.

Arranged marriages are often misunderstood as forced marriages. However, they are fundamentally different. In arranged marriages, the consent of the individuals getting married is paramount. The families or matchmakers merely introduce the potential partners, and the final decision rests with the individuals. This practice is prevalent in many parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East and is deeply rooted in cultural, social, and economic contexts.

Merits of Arranged Marriages

Arranged marriages have several merits. They foster a sense of community and shared responsibility as the union is not just between two individuals but also their families. This can provide a strong support system for the couple, especially during challenging times.

Furthermore, arranged marriages often take into account compatibility in terms of social status, religion, caste, and economic background, which can lead to less conflict and more harmony. The partners enter the relationship with realistic expectations, understanding that love and affection develop over time.

Demerits of Arranged Marriages

However, arranged marriages have their share of criticisms. The most significant concern is the potential lack of freedom for the individuals involved. Often, societal and familial pressure can influence the decision, leading to a compromise on personal happiness and compatibility.

Additionally, the emphasis on social and economic compatibility might overshadow personal compatibility, leading to an unhappy marriage. The notion of love and affection developing over time might not always hold true, resulting in a lack of emotional intimacy.

Arranged Marriages in the Modern Context

In the modern context, arranged marriages are evolving. The advent of matrimonial websites and dating apps has transformed the traditional process into a more individual-centric one. These platforms allow individuals to have a say in choosing their partners while still considering important compatibility factors. This shift represents a blend of traditional values with modern aspirations, offering a new perspective on arranged marriages.

Arranged marriages are a complex phenomenon that cannot be wholly labelled as good or bad. They are deeply intertwined with cultural norms and societal structures. Their merits and demerits vary across different contexts, and they continue to evolve with societal changes. Understanding this complexity is essential in appreciating the relevance of arranged marriages in today’s world.

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Arranged Marriages Essay

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A study on arranged marriages.

Jessica Tovar Professor Berger Research Paper Core 7 Arranged Marriages Cultures and countries around the world have differing views on many topics such as whether or not babies should be baptized, vaccinations, abortion and marriages. One topic that has been of controversy and is viewed differently in many countries is marriage and whether or not arranged marriages are better than love marriages. There are several different reasons why people in India believe that arranged marriages are the best; likewise, people in Western countries such as the United States believe that love marriages are best. Most westerners have a misconception on arranged marriages. An arranged marriage is a marital union where the groom and the bride are chosen by a third party, such as a mother, father, grandfather or grandmother. Most often confused with a forced marriage, which is where the bride and groom are chosen by a third party and are forced to marry each other or suffer the consequences. In western countries, marriages are considered "love marriages" where the bride and groom select each other and decide to get married based on their love and affection for one another. Even though arranged marriages and love marriages greatly differ from one another and each has advantages and disadvantages, neither one is better than the other in the long run. The primary difference between a love marriage and an arranged marriage is the person who selects the spouse. "In an arranged marriage, parents

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Arranged marriage is good: a persuasive speech.

Arranged Marriage is a Good Thing: A Persuasive Speech Intro: Marriage is a union that has been around for as long as humans have walked the earth. The human race depends upon the union of its members, and as such, the subject of marriage has been an issue that receives more intense scrutiny and attention than many would likely believe. In today's day and age, with humanity continuing to move in a modern direction, many argue that marriage is a union that should be entered into freely and should be based exclusively on the love between two people. However, I argue that arranged marriage, which has taken place throughout the ages and throughout the world, is a union that offers its observers a marriage based in support, longevity and love, and is an institution that should not be frowned upon. Thesis: Arranged marriage is a good thing and should be respected by those throughout the world who condemn it. Point I: Arranged marriage has been around for ages.

• Ever since humans have existed, so has the arranged marriage.
• In biblical times and in the Bible itself, arranged marriage was the standard for couples, whose spouses would be chosen for them by their parents or guardians as early as their birth. Sub–Point: Arranged marriage was so popular an option as history moved on, that many royals took part in the option such as: Louis XVI and Marie Antionette, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon
• These biblical and royal arranged

Essay on Arranged Marriages

What comes to mind when you hear the words arranged marriage? I am sure a happy, respectful, loving relationship was not what popped into your mind. Arrange marriages are a complex subject, and the concept is perceived as a human rights issue where individuals loose the right to freedom of choice. In saying that, my initial opinion of an arranged marriage was not held in high regard. However, after being introduced to someone who is in the process of an arranged marriage; and conducting my own research; my view changed. Hence I have much regret about my naivety on the concept. This type of marriage, known as a culturally specific decision (Seth, 2008), has been confused with a forced marriage. In summary, researchers have confirmed that.. more content... Unfortunately, this occurs only in fairy tales. To follow on, Seth (2009) states "one of the reasons most people know very little about arrange marriages for the reason it is a topic that has been negatively represented (or, at best, ignored) by the media" (p. 7). In saying that, when was the last time you can recall reading or hearing about two adults, including their families, unifying by choice in the efforts of financial and economic assistance? I personally can not and this thought makes me rather sceptical of the media. It is very likely the mass media has done their research and covers negative stories, for example forced marriages, for the purpose to increase profit (Van Krieken et al., (2009). Primarily, I had a lot of misunderstanding and had formed stereotypes towards arrange marriages, I knew so little. The notion of an arrange marriage brought to mind the characteristics of a forced marriage. The line between these two is at times blurry however freedom of choice is what separates them (Trapp, 2009). Seth (2009) gives a definition to help understand the concept; "an arranged marriage can be defined as a marriage organised by a third party and based on considerations other than love, intimacy, and physical or sexual attraction" (p. 7). Seth (2009) further explains the notion by stating "the idea behind arranged marriages is

Arranged Marriage Essay

Arranged marriage is a bad decision Marriage is defined as legal or religious union of two person in which they live together. There are different kind of marriage but mostly arrange marriage and love marriage is talked. "In many cultures, marriages are arranged by the parents, sometimes with the couple having little or no say. Such arranged marriages are often found within societies with a high degree of hierarchy and awareness of social rank" (BOOK). People often say arranged marriage are highly traditional and renowned, protect values and so on but what about in the life of bride and groom? Will they be happy protecting values and culture? Thus, Arranged marriage is a bad decision because they lack a freedom to choose and interference from extended family, lack of trust, understanding and love is not a first priority, and social problem. Arranged marriage takes place in different part of the world. "A recent research conducted by a post–graduate student of Amity University, New Delhi has brought to light the finding that arranged marriages in India originated during the Vedic period of Indian history" (Chettri). It is the period (c. 1500 – c B.C) during which the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism were composed. Similarly, Helena Minchew, program officer in International Women's Health Coalition wrote in her article, "The Human Rights Council in Geneva on 2nd July 2015 adopted its first substantive resolution on ending child, early, and forced marriage, and

The Main Causes Of Arranged Marriage

"Made in heaven, found on earth – marriages are a new beginning according to some and the final end for others" ("Arranged Marriage", 2009). Marriage is religiously and socially a huge responsibility and its failure could affect societies negatively. Arranged marriages are planned by families, when the bride and the groom are chosen either randomly from a wedding or by family relatives. Especially in the Gulf countries, certain families consider such marriages of high social importance. Arranged marriages in this region have a low expectancy of success. Forced marriages, short engagements and incompatibility between potential couples are the main causes of divorce in arranged marriages in the Gulf region. The initial major cause of divorce in arranged marriages is forced marriage. When both sides get married unwillingly, a lifelong struggle will begin to adapt with the undesired reality. The Saudi Gazette newspaper stated that a lot of women are still forced into their marriages by their families ("Saudi Arabia Forced and Arranged Marriages", 2003). Especially in Saudi Arabia, marriage is viewed through a.. more content... According to Al–Qabas Newspaper (2016), forty–eight percent of women in Kuwait are divorced as a result of the gaps between married couples. These gaps could be age differences, education levels, interests and financial problems. For instance, many girls get married at a young age to a husband who is ten to twenty years older, creating a relationship between two different generations that lacks mutual understanding. For example, Batoul got married at the age of nine, having no knowledge at all, to twenty–year old Mohammed. Divorce is an ultimate solution to marriages in which a husband cannot financially provide his family needs. Life becomes impossible for some couples if they come from two different

I chose the topic of arranged marriages with a focus on arranged marriages of minors. It is baffling to me that even in the 21st century, young children are being forced into intimate relationships. This topic is fascinating due to the fact that as a Canadian, arranging marriages of children seems absurd. I also wanted to choose this topic to learn more about how arranged marriages work than what I have already learned in this course and why parents would ever choose to marry off a young child, knowing the consequences that the child may face. I have some previous knowledge from other social science classes that I have taken such as the "Challenge and Change in Society" course and from previous units in this course. I learned that arranged marriages often occur because they are a tradition in the culture of people who practice it. There is also usually an economic component in arranged marriages which may motivate parents to set up the marriages of their children. Usually, the parents of an individual choose a partner for their child and the parents of the other individual must agree to the marriage. I am also aware that the practice of arranged marriages is uncommon in Canada, but some people of certain religions do practice it if the individuals both agree to the marriage, as marriage without the consent of both partners is illegal in Canada. Contrarily, arranged marriages are much more common in less developed countries. Additionally, I know that in the case of arranged

Argumentative Essay On Arranged Marriage

People don't really know how to choose a long term partner" says Dr. Alvin Cooper (Razdan, 2014, p. 525), this statement comes from an essay titled "What's Love Got to Do with It?" by Anjula Razdan. In the essay, Razdan invites the reader to consider arranged marriages and the benefits that one could bring. In the beginning, she expresses her negative opinion on arranged marriages but then goes on to provide the reader with different facts and statements from professionals about why arranged marriages are a good thing. After considering the information that was provided in the essay, like Razdan first stated, I also don't agree with arranged marriages. Love should be the reason why people get married, not because their parents forced them to marry someone or because they want social/economical gain. I was raised with the belief that I would find my true love and when I found that person, he and I would get married because of love. One of my biggest problems with arranged marriages is that they take away your sense of freedom. Typically, in arranged marriages your lifelong partner is chosen by a family member and most of the time, people don't even know the person they are getting married to. In the essay, Razdan talks about her parents and how their relationship started. She says that her parent's relationship was decided "over tea and samosas by their grandfathers" (Razdan, 2014, p) Then she goes on to say that her parents "still barely knew each other on their wedding day – and they certainly hadn't fallen in love" (Razdan, 2014, p) Unlike their experience and others who are involved in an arranged marriage, when I get married I want to marry someone that I love and know. I want to have a say in who I am going to spend the rest of my life with. Even Razdan agrees, in her essay she says "The act of choosing whom to love represents the very essence of freedom. To take away that choice seems like an attack not just on my autonomy as a person, but on democracy itself." (Razdan, 2014, p). The second reason for why I disagree with arranged marriages is because you're basically marrying a stranger. Your partner is chosen by your family and most of the time, the couples don't even know one another. How

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Arranged Marriage — The Pros and Cons of Arranged Marriage in Modern Society

The Pros and Cons of Arranged Marriage in Modern Society

• Categories: Arranged Marriage

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Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 771 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, history of arranged marriage, pros of arranged marriage, cons of arranged marriage, cultural differences of arranged marriage, modern arranged marriage, arranged marriage vs. love marriage.

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Arranged Marriages’ Advantages and Disadvantages

Welcome to our argumentative essay sample on arranged marriage: advantages and disadvantages. Here, you’ll find the disadvantages and advantages of arranged marriage, discussion, statistics, and other aspects of the debate.

Arranged Marriage: Essay Introduction

Arranged marriages in the modern society, arranged marriage advantages and disadvantages, advantages of arranged marriages, disadvantages of arranged marriages, arranged marriage: essay conclusion, works cited.

Arranged marriages were very popular in traditional societies across the world. Arranged marriage was considered the best way through which a man or woman of the right age could get the right life partner for the continuity of a given lineage. However, modernization and Westernization have changed this mindset about arranged marriages not only in Western countries but also in various parts of the world.

Inasmuch as arranged marriages are still common all over the world. Many people now prefer selecting their life partners through unarranged processes. The debate about the relevance of arranged marriages is still raging in various societies across the world.

The practice is still common among Muslim communities, but the current generation is very keen on selecting their life partners based on love other than through arranged processes. This does not mean that arranged marriages are non-existence in the modern society. According to Tseng (127), arranged marriages are still common in the current society. The researcher seeks to determine the benefits and shortcomings of having arranged marriages.

Arranged married were very common in past societies. Many factors made arranged marriages to be very important in traditional societies. Entezar (52) gives an example of a typical Muslim society in Saudi Arabia, where arranged marriages were very common in the past.

In this society, morality was highly valued. As children grew up, they had to understand and appreciate their identity. Boys had to grow up knowing that they would be heads of their families and had to work hard towards making their future life as good as they desired. On the other side, girls had to grow up knowing that they were responsible for household chores. They had to know how to prepare their homes and take care of their children.

At the adolescent stage, there were strict rules concerning the manner in which adolescent boys and girls were expected to interact. At this delicate stage of development, boys were not expected to mingle freely with girls (Lamanna and Riedmann 33). This was important because the elders knew that if this happened, then these teenagers might find themselves engaging in irresponsible behavior that may ruin the future of the girls. Society highly cherished the virginity of a woman at marriage, and this was one of the ways of protecting it.

In this kind of social setting, it was very difficult for young adults planning to marry to mingle with the members of the opposite sex so that they could understand each other and determine whether they were in love and could live together. This made it necessary for the parents or the society to arrange the marriages for their children.

With all the experience they had and knowledge about other families, parents could determine the appropriate life partner for their children. In most cases, they would conduct an investigation on the family and the man or woman who is planned to be the life partner of their children.

When they were satisfied, they would inform their children about the intended union. According to Roberts (78), although the two who were to be unionized were given the liberty to give their verdict over the issue, especially the man, they were expected to respect their parents’ opinion. However, rejecting a partner that the parents had approved was considered rude and unethical. For this reason, the parents’ decision would prevail, and the marriage would proceed with the blessings of parents from both sides.

The social structure of many communities around the world is changing very first due to the changes brought about by science and technology. It is common for an Emirati girl to travel to the United Kingdom or the United States at a tender age for further studies. Similarly, people from other parts of the world are flocking to the United Arab Emirates for various reasons, from tourism to trade. For instance, Dubai is currently one of the most diversified cities on earth because of its relevance as a strategic business hub.

As Tseng (43) puts it, the current society is a global village. The emergence of modern technologies and the relevance of the Western education system have redefined the social structure of society not only in the Middle East but also in the entire world. A child does not need to leave Abu Dhabi for the United States in order to be Westernized. The movies they watch and the music they listen to make them question some of the established systems in their traditional setting.

In the current society, it is not possible to prevent close interactions between adolescent girls and boys in Muslim communities. Parents have realized that the best gift they can give to their children is formal education, irrespective of their gender. For this reason, boys and girls will mingle freely at school.

They share classrooms, and sometimes, they are assigned tasks together. According to Lamanna and Riedmann (33), teachers have been forced to bear the pressure from human rights activists who insist on giving both boys and girls equal opportunities at school. This involves treating them equally in every activity, especially at higher levels of learning.

In this highly integrated setting, young adults can get to understand each other. A young man planning to marry should know that different women behave differently. The same case will apply to a woman. She will know the kind of man she would want as a life partner. Entezar (39) calls this liberation. The education system liberates the mind of the younger generation from tight control from their parents.

They can look at the world from their own perspective to determine what they want in life. The main question that many people have been asking is the relevance of arranged marriages in the current liberated society. In the past, young adults would not mingle easily, and this made it difficult to choose the right life partner. In the current society, this has changed as the education system makes it possible for these people to interact very closely.

In the past, knowledge and wisdom were believed to rest with the elders, and their views were almost considered a sacred command that was not to be questioned, even if it was apparent that they were in error. In the current society, the younger populations have been liberated, and they have the capacity to advise the elders about the future.

Despite these facts, a number of people still find arranged marriages very important for the well-being of the couple and the community at large. At this stage, it will be important to analyze the benefits and shortcomings of arranged marriages.

Arranged marriages remain popular not only among Muslims but also in other societies around the world. According to Tseng (81), even in the West, it is common to see parents trying to influence the choice of life partners for their children.

This is an indication that even with all the education that their children may have and the westernizations- having been born and brought up in the West, the parents always have the feeling that their children could make a mistake when choosing their life partners. This creates a feeling that they should play a role in making this important choice. This is a strong suggestion that arranged marriages have benefits that should not be ignored.

One of the biggest advantages of arranged marriages is that the partners will have a perfect match when it comes to culture, religion, social status, lifestyle, and many other factors that always affect the compatibility of couples. As Browne (83) notes, basing marriage on love is great, but sometimes when love defines everything, then one would be blinded to some of the social incompatibilities that may make life difficult for the couple after marriage.

It will force the partners to make compromises, some of which may go against one’s own beliefs and customs. At the early stages of life, making such compromises may be simple because of the infatuation brought about by the feeling of love.

However, as the couple settles down in marriage, these realities start setting in, and it may cause serious strains in the relationship. Unless the couple is strong-willed and determined to make everything work in their favor, the marriage can be brought to an end after a short while. The following figure shows the rising cases of divorce in the UAE from 1960 to 2008.

This problem can easily be solved when the marriages are arranged. The people arranging the marriage will ensure that the couple is perfectly compatible before they can be allowed to marry.

It is a fact that in arranged marriages, the couple gets to benefit from the support they get from their parents and family members. When parents and members of the community are allowed to play a part in arranging the marriage, they will feel honored. They will take all the responsibilities in the entire marriage process. The parties who are getting into this union will be relieved of the financial burden that is involved in organizing the marriage.

Members of the community will ensure that all the expenses are addressed because it is their responsibility. All the tasks will be addressed from the communal level, meaning that the couple will get maximum support when organizing the wedding. The feeling that family members are happy with the marriage also has a positive psychological impact on the partners.

They will start life knowing that they have the full support of members of their communities. In such weddings, people will come and celebrate together as they witness the union. Given the fact that they were the organizers, make feel responsible. They will bring many gifts to help the couple start life without struggling much.

Marriages are designed to last forever, whether it is in the traditional setting or in modern Westernized society. When two people come together in marriage through the support of the parents and community members, they get a wide base of moral support whenever they have problems in their families.

Given the fact that members of the society organized their marriage, they have the moral authority to go back to them in case they are experiencing problems. Parents from both sides can be called to help solve the problem, and they will feel obliged to extend their help. The two will realize that their union is not limited to their family. Such unions bring together the entire community, and this minimizes the chances of divorce.

Every member of the community will try to help the couple work out their way in life, even in the face of challenges. The partners from both sides will also find themselves with a moral obligation to the community. They will know that their families and society cherish their marriage. This will make them determined to find solutions to the problems that may affect their marriage as a way of respecting their family members. In such unions, even children group up knowing the importance of love and family ties.

According to a survey conducted by Roberts (2), arranged marriages are becoming less common in modern society. This is so because people have come to realize that arranged marriages have a number of flaws that make them undesirable. Below are the results obtained from the survey in four countries about the attitude of members of society towards arranged marriages.

From the statistics shown above, it is clear that most of the participants in this survey noted that they do not have favorable attitudes toward arranged marriages. They noted a number of factors that make them feel that arranged marriages are a practice that should not be encouraged in modern society. The following are some of the specific disadvantages of arranged marriages. According to Browne (73), in arranged marriages, the decision to choose one’s partner is taken away from one’s hands.

The elders have the sole discretion of choosing a life partner for an individual who plans to marry. Marriage is a complex process that involves bringing together two completely different individuals into a lifetime union. The personality of the life partner will define the quality of life one has.

Given the sensitivity of this issue, one should be allowed to take time to understand the other person who is supposed to be the life partner. This would require a long time of interaction, trying to understand the personality of the person to determine if a life together can be a personality. The opportunity is denied to people who engage in arranged marriages.

According to Lamanna and Riedmann (33), in most cases, couples in arranged marriages find themselves in union with people who have contrasting personalities. It is important to appreciate that sharing religious beliefs, cultural practices, or social status may not necessarily make them compatible. The personalities of an individual may not be rigidly defined using demographical factors. Sometimes people of a completely different caste may find themselves more compatible than those that share their caste.

What makes the whole system very complex is the attachment that members of the family will have to that marriage. The two couples may be forced to stay together even if they find fundamental contrasts in their personalities simply because their parents and community members arranged their marriage. Such people will stay in their marriages because of the wish of their parents. As Entezar (67) notes, the marriage will cease to be blissful, and it will turn into a prison, as demonstrated in the figure below.

As demonstrated in the above figure, the partners will have more questions than answers in their union. Happiness will be gone, and in most cases, they will regret why they accepted the union in the first place. According to Lamanna and Riedmann (33), love in arranged marriages takes a secondary position. The partners are not given time to bond and develop love towards each other before their marriage.

Those who are involved in arranging the marriage always assume that the two will develop an attraction and love towards each other once they are in a marriage. However, this fallacy should be avoided. Chances are high that if the two entered into a marriage without love, then they may spend their entire lives without loving each other.

Entezar (56) describes such unions as marriages of convenience. The parties involved in the marriage will not be doing it for their own sake and for the sake of love. They will be doing it for the sake of their parents. They will be trying to please people around them, disregarding the importance of a strong bond that is always created by love. This weakens the foundation of their marriage.

The research by Browne (47) shows that arranged marriages are vulnerable to interferences from external forces. When family members participate in bringing the couple together, they will develop a feeling that they have the right to define the way the family is run. Each of the family members will make an effort to define the way the couple will be leading their lives. In some cases, these family members may find themselves positions in the newly created family.

They will want to visit the new family at wish, and whenever they have a personal problem, they will demand help from the couple simply because they participated in bringing them together. As Tseng (112) says, such environments are not good for the growth of the new family. Sometimes the demands of these family members may be unrealistic. Such negative forces are uncommon when the couple makes their own decisions when marrying.

Arranged marriages are still commonly practiced in the modern society. It is clear from the above discussion that this form of marriage was more common in traditional societies than it is in the current society. However, even in the current society, it is clear that one cannot dismiss the relevance of arranged marriages.

These marriages help in bringing family members together when choosing a life partner. This research reveals that despite these advantages, arranged marriages also have shortcomings that should be considered before a family can subject one of their own to it. Based on this discussion, using a blend of arranged and unarranged marriages may be of great benefit to the members of the family and, most importantly, to the couple.

Browne, Ken. An Introduction to Sociology . Cambridge: Polity Press, 2011. Print.

Entezar, Eshan. Afghanistan 101: Understanding Afghan Culture . New Jersey: Xlibris Corporation, 2008. Print.

Lamanna, Mary, and Agnes. Riedmann. Marriages & Families: Making Choices and Facing Change . Belmont: Wadsworth, 2006. Print.

Roberts, Kathleen. Communication Ethics: Between Cosmopolitanism and Provinciality . New York: Lang, 2008. Print.

Tseng, Wen-Shing. Handbook of Cultural Psychiatry . San Diego: Academic Press, 2001. Print.

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