Modernized Arranged Marriages in India
Modernization in India has influenced arranged marriage practices and has caused the practices to shift from traditional practices to more modernized practices. Arranged marriages are still very common in India, with over 80% of marriages being arranged marriages (First Comes Marriage, then comes Love), not traditional arranged marriages but modernized arranged marriages.
The process of arranged marriage has changed from one totally dictated by the parents to more of a team effort between parents and their children. In the past, the engaged man and woman usually would not see each other before the wedding, now they do. Now, parents act more as matchmakers for their adult children. Moreover, 74% percent of Indians still prefer arranged marriages, but in the conventional way of thinking that their spouse should fit into their family (Successful Marriages ). People in India still believe a spouse should get along with their families, they just want a say in who they marry. This updated context of arranged marriage is more current in Indian society today, than the traditional arranged marriage practice.
The caste system, which was a very important aspect in traditional arranged marriage practice has decreased importance in modernize arranged marriage. Older generations are still serious about the caste system, but younger generations are starting to have more liberal views which is causing them to be more lenient when it comes to the caste system. The rule of “never marry someone from another caste” is not as strongly enforced (Caste Weakened but still Influential).
Also, young adults are beginning to have more of a say in who they marry because of the modernized views that are being spread. The younger generation in India is the group of people that are helping change arranged marriage practices because young adults is who modernized views are affecting. Older generations are having to accept the new modernized ways, even if they do not want to, because in a world like ours there are always going to more advances in social practices. Technological advances like technology are even introducing new ways to meet people, like online dating sites which make it easier to meet potential spouses (Websites give Indian People more of a Choice in Marriage ).
Moreover, Only 9% of students feel that the traditional system of arranged marriage should remain the same (Successful Arranged Marriages ). Most of the young adult population supports the arranged marriage practice, but the modernized version. Most young adults do not mind their parents arranging their marriage, as long as they have a say in it. Modernization in our world today has changed arranged marriages practices in India in many ways.
Arranged Marriages in India 