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Arranged Marriages And The British Indian Diaspora: Politics Of Marriage And

Ricky Bell

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Published in Learning To Love: Arranged Marriages And The British Indian Diaspora (Politics Of Marriage And Gender: Global Issues In Local Contexts)

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Arranged marriages have been a part of Indian culture for centuries. In a typical arranged marriage, the parents of the bride and groom choose their spouses for them. This practice is based on the belief that parents are more experienced and knowledgeable than their children and can make better decisions for them. Arranged marriages are still common in India today, but they are becoming less common among Indian immigrants in the United Kingdom.

There are a number of reasons for this decline. First, Indian immigrants in the UK are more likely to be educated and financially independent than their counterparts in India. This means that they are more likely to be able to choose their own spouses. Second, Indian immigrants in the UK are more likely to be exposed to Western culture, which values individualism and personal choice. This can lead them to question the traditional practice of arranged marriages.

However, arranged marriages are still a part of the lives of many Indian immigrants in the UK. For some, it is a way to preserve their cultural heritage. For others, it is a way to ensure that their children marry someone who is from a similar background.

Learning to Love: Arranged Marriages and the British Indian Diaspora (Politics of Marriage and Gender: Global Issues in Local Contexts)

by Cliff Edwards

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There are a number of benefits to arranged marriages. First, they can help to ensure that the bride and groom are well-matched. Parents are more likely to know their children's strengths and weaknesses, and they can choose a spouse who will be a good fit for them. Second, arranged marriages can help to strengthen family ties. When a couple marries, their families become connected. This can lead to closer relationships between the two families and can provide support for the couple in the future. Third, arranged marriages can help to preserve cultural traditions. Arranged marriages are a part of Indian culture, and they can help to keep the culture alive in the UK.

There are also a number of challenges to arranged marriages. First, they can limit the bride and groom's ability to choose their own spouses. This can lead to resentment and unhappiness in the marriage. Second, arranged marriages can put pressure on the couple to conform to traditional gender roles. This can be difficult for couples who want to have more egalitarian relationships. Third, arranged marriages can be difficult to dissolve. In India, divorce is still highly stigmatized, and it can be difficult for couples who are unhappy in their arranged marriages to get a divorce.

The future of arranged marriages in the UK is uncertain. It is likely that they will continue to decline in popularity, but they may still be a part of the lives of many Indian immigrants. It is important to remember that arranged marriages are a complex issue, and there are both benefits and challenges to them.

Arranged marriages are a part of Indian culture, and they have been for centuries. However, they are becoming less common among Indian immigrants in the UK. There are a number of reasons for this decline, including the increasing education and financial independence of Indian immigrants, as well as their exposure to Western culture. However, arranged marriages are still a part of the lives of many Indian immigrants in the UK, and they may continue to be for many years to come.

Bardhan, K. (2004). Arranging marriage: A bargaining perspective. Journal of Political Economy, 112(5),987-1019.
Bose, A. (2010). Arranged marriage in modern India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Jodhka, S. S. (2009). Arranged marriage and love marriage in India: A comparative study. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 40(1),1-23.
Rao, V. (2003). Arranged marriage in contemporary India: Changing values and practices. Economic and Political Weekly, 38(41),4187-4193.
Sharma, U. (2009). Love marriage and arranged marriage in India: A longitudinal study. Journal of Marriage and Family, 71(2),490-501.

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Arranged Marriages and the British Indian Diaspora: Politics of Marriage and Love

Learning to Love: Arranged Marriages and the British Indian Diaspora (Politics of Marriage and Gender: Global Issues in Local Contexts)

by Cliff Edwards

4.7 out of 5