Love Marriage vs. Arranged Marriage

 Relationship Guidance may be required in both types of marriages. But which one is better? Let’s find out.

Marriage is a very important social institution. Every individual wants to have a perfect match, but the criteria for choosing the partner is different. In love marriages, individuals prefer to choose their partners on their own, while in case of arrange marriages individuals prefers partners chosen by their family or parents. There is a continuous debate regarding the best way to choose the partner for marriage.But I believe there are two sides of a coin. Both arranged marriages and love marriages have their pros and cons.Both can be very good and can be very bad.

A 2013 IPSOS survey found that 74% of young Indians (18-35 years old) prefer an arranged marriage over a love marriage. According to a Bombay high court hearing, divorces are higher in love marriages as compared to arranged marriages, in India. It is also a fact that India has a very low divorce rate of only 1.1% when compared to other countries in the world.

Love Marriage vs. Arranged Marriage

1. Beliefs and cultures 

•  An arranged marriage brings people who have been brought up with a similar belief system come together. This becomes an important aspect in building a base to the relationship. The chances of having cultural differences are less likely, removing one issue which is common in love marriages.
• Love marriages need not necessarily happen between people of the same religion, culture, caste etc. This brings together individuals with different beliefs and cultures. They need to put in extra efforts to come to a consensus.

2. The role of elders

• In most arranged marriages the families of bride and groom get to know each other and guide the couple with their experience and suggestions.
•  In some love marriages the couple come away from their families in order to find their independent life as a couple. Hence they are fully deprived of the chance to get the much needed guidance and advice from their elders.

3. Understanding 

• Arrange Marriage is not a contract between two individuals alone but a confluence of two families.Two families involved in arrange marriages know each other very well and are compatible with each other.Couple is guided by parents experience
• Both individuals know each other already and mutually decide to spend the whole life with each other.Couple is responsible for its choice and onus of the blame in future lies on the couple only and nobody else.Couple can eradicate social evil like dowry with their mutual consent because they have the independence to take such decisions at their own level.

There is no perfect formula to make a marriage work. Both arranged and love marriages have their own strengths and faults. It's up to you whatever  journey makes you feel like going through even when there are harsh times.

love marriage

 

Arranged marriage