Arranged marriages have been practiced for centuries in many cultures around the world. While some view it as forced and outdated, others see it as beneficial for various reasons, such as fulfilling religious duty.
A good thing about arranged marriages is that they usually have a strong family support and compatibility foundation. As families usually consider religious compatibility when arranging marriages, these marriages ensure that both partners share similar beliefs and values.
Sometimes, there is limited personal choice, particularly for women.
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Today, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of arranged marriage, including whether or not it lasts as long as love marriages. So keep reading.
Pros and Cons of Arranged Marriage: Know Before Engaged
You should consider these factors about arranged marriage before you get engaged.
1. Pros of arranged marriage
- Fulfillment of religious duty
- Family involvement & financial security
- Community support
- Social and economic stability
- Focus on long-term commitment
- Mutual growth
- Lower risk of wrong person selection
- Reduced premarital relationships
2. Cons of arranged marriage
- Mismatched expectations
- Pressure to conform
1. Pros of Arranged Marriage
Arranged marriages have their own set of advantages that you should consider.
1.1 Fulfillment of Religious Duty
By entering into an arranged marriage, you can fulfill your religious duty and uphold the traditions of your faith.
Arranged marriages are often seen as a way to preserve religious values and practices within the marriage. This can be particularly important for Muslims who prioritize their faith and want a partner with the same beliefs. It will bring you closer to your spiritual path if you choose it.
1.2 Family Involvement & Financial Security
In an arranged marriage, your family plays a significant role in finding a suitable match for you, considering factors such as financial stability. As a result, you and your future spouse will receive adequate financial support for getting married and living together.
1.3 Community Support
With the support of your community and the reassurance of their approval, you can overcome the obstacles to getting married.
Having the approval of your community can also bring a sense of belonging and social acceptance. It can be comforting and reassuring as you embark on this new chapter of your life.
Your community can help you when you face any difficulties that arise in the future.
1.4 Social and Economic Stability
Having the security of a stable social and economic life, arranged marriages can provide you with a strong foundation for a successful future.
With a focus on financial security and social standing factors, arranged marriages aim to establish family stability. Knowing that your social and economic needs will be addressed can lead to a sense of security and assurance.
Also, arranged marriages can protect Muslim individuals, particularly women, from potential exploitation or mistreatment in romantic relationships, ensuring their well-being and safety.
1.5 Focus on Long-Term Commitment
Embracing the emphasis on long-term commitment in arranged marriages can foster a sense of dedication and endurance in your relationship. By entering into a marriage to build a lifelong partnership, you and your partner are more likely to cooperate and stay together through good and bad times.
This focus on long-term commitment can provide a strong foundation for your relationship.
1.6 Mutual Growth
Although some may view arranged marriages as cold, unfeeling affairs, the truth is that most couples find they have a lot in common. As the relationship grows and deepens, arranged couples learn to love and appreciate each other’s qualities, which makes their relationship stronger and more fulfilling.
For those willing to be patient and invest in their relationship, arranged marriages can be incredibly rewarding to find mutual growth and lasting happiness.
1.7 Lower Risk of Wrong Person Selection
A major advantage of arranged marriages is that the risk of selecting an incompatible spouse is greatly reduced.
In love marriage, there is a high possibility of selecting the wrong person. Love marriages focus on the initial rush of attraction instead of compatibility and commitment.
After getting married, the attraction will reduce, and the truth will come to light. Several factors contribute to the development of qualls in a family. The couple realizes that he/she is not a good match for them.
Arranged marriages focus on compatibility and commitment instead of just the initial rush of attraction.
Couples in arranged marriages are often more willing to work through the ups and downs of married life, which can lead to fewer arguments and conflicts. This ultimately leads to a more stable and loving family unit.
1.8 Reduced Premarital Relationships
Surely, you’ll find that arranged marriages can significantly minimize your involvement in pre-marital relationships. Arranged marriages reduce premarital relationships (Zina) and can help Muslim individuals maintain their chastity and adhere to religious principles.
2. Cons of Arranged Marriage
When considering the cons of arranged marriage, there are also the potential disadvantages created by society or state rules.
2.1 Mismatched Expectations
You may have mismatched expectations about your future spouse’s duties and responsibilities in an arranged marriage. While an arranged marriage ensures a good relationship, there’s a risk of not fully understanding each other’s expectations at the beginning.
However, it doesn’t last long because the couple gets to feel and understand each other and try to maintain their responsibility. Day by day, they try to fulfill each other’s expectations.
2.2 Pressure to Confirm
Sometimes, the bride feels that she must consent to her family’s chosen groom, even if she does not feel a connection with him. This can create a sense of discomfort and even resentment towards her family.
But she needs to realize that her family would never wish for a poor future for her. So, they investigate the groom’s background before making a decision. They just want to ensure the groom can provide her a safe and comfortable life.
What is the main reason for arranged marriages?
The exact reason for an arranged marriage is to keep financially secure and reinforce social ties. By arranging a marriage, parents believe it provides protection and reduces the economic burden on their family, especially for daughters.
Surprisingly, feeding, clothing, and educating a young girl with her children without a proper partner to support her and her family can be quite costly. Arranged marriages provide a sense of security for the bride and groom and their families.
Do arranged marriages last longer than love marriages?
Consider the research that shows arranged marriages are more likely to last longer than love marriages. Studies have found that arranged marriages have a lower divorce rate than love marriages.
Factors like family involvement, shared values, cultural compatibility, and a stronger commitment to making the marriage work could explain this.
However, it should be noted that long-term bonds require effort, communication, and mutual understanding.
What is the divorce rate in arranged and love marriages?
According to recent experiments and results, most divorces actually come from love marriages, and the divorce rate for arranged marriages is as low as 4 percent. In contrast, the divorce rate for love marriages is much higher, up to 40 percent.
It may surprise some, but this statistic proves that there is something to be said about the tradition of arranged marriages.
Understand the Hidden Pros and Cons of Arranged Marriage
The pros and cons of arranged marriage are now clear. Arranged marriages can provide religious fulfillment, financial security, and community support, but they also come with the risk of marriage for inappropriate reasons and a lack of personal choice.
Alternatively, love marriages allow individuals to choose their partners, which is unacceptable in Islam. They are not guaranteed to last longer than arranged marriages and promote haram premarital relationships.
Avoid love marriages, which are haram, and rely on arranged marriages for good relationships.
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