Arranged marriage

Sometimes, families help people get married.

Parents or friends may choose a partner. The couple can say yes or no. This is a very old way to marry.

In some places, people only see photos first. This happened with some families in America.

In other lands, parents make all the choices. The couple might not meet until the wedding. This was common in China.

Some marriages are forced. This is when people cannot say no. This is not the same as an arranged marriage. It is important that everyone agrees to marry.

An arranged marriage is when a third party helps pick a spouse. Often, parents or close relatives make these choices. This practice is very old. It has been part of many cultures and religions for a long time.

In an arranged marriage, the couple usually agrees to the match. This is different from a forced marriage. In a forced marriage, people do not give their consent. This means they do not freely say yes. The United Nations says marriages without consent are wrong.

In the past, arranged marriages were common all over the world. In China, they were the norm until the mid-20th century. In the United States, migrant families often used them. Some Japanese-American families used "picture-bride marriages." In these, the couple only saw photos before the wedding.

Today, these marriages are still common in many regions. You can find them in South Asia and North Africa. They are also seen in parts of Central Asia. In many places, the way people marry is changing. More people now choose their own partners.

An arranged marriage is a type of union where a third party helps select the spouses. This third party is often a parent or a close relative. Sometimes, a marriage broker helps with the selection process. In many cases, the couple actually agrees to the match. This is different from a love marriage where people choose each other. It is also different from a forced marriage. In a forced marriage, one or both people do not give their consent. The United Nations says that marriages without consent are wrong.

Scholars study different ways that people choose their partners. They often group marriages into four main categories. First, there are forced arranged marriages where people have no say. Second, there are consensual arranged marriages where the couple is consulted. In these, the individuals can still say no to the match. Third, there are self-selected marriages where people choose but ask parents first. Finally, there are autonomous marriages where individuals choose without asking anyone. Most modern marriages fall somewhere between consensual arranged and autonomous styles.

Arranged marriages have a very long history across the globe. They were the normal way to marry until the 18th century. In China, they were the standard until the mid-20th century. During the Renaissance in Italy, people used courtship and betrothal rites. In the Indian subcontinent, there was a practice called Gandharva Vivah during the Vedic period. In Russia, these marriages were common before the early 20th century. In the United States, migrant families often used them until the mid-1900s.

Different regions have unique ways of practicing these traditions. Some Japanese-American immigrants used "picture-bride marriages" using only photographs. In parts of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, many marriages are between first cousins. In North Africa and Central Asia, these types of marriages are very common. Some groups in the United States, like certain Mormon groups, still use placement marriages. In India, traditional matchmakers are sometimes called nayan. These people are often close friends of the family.

Ways of marrying continue to change as societies grow. In Europe and East Asia, the practice has declined since the 1800s. Many people now prefer autonomous marriages based on dating and personal choice. As immigrant families settle in new places, their traditions often shift. They might move from arranged marriages to quasi-arranged marriages first. This means parents still help with introductions before the couple meets. Eventually, many descendants move toward choosing their own partners independently.

An arranged marriage is a union where a third party selects the spouses. This differs from a love marriage where partners know each other and initiate the relationship themselves. In an arranged marriage, a third party organizes the match. This person is usually a parent or a relative. Sometimes, a professional marriage broker helps with the process. Most arranged marriages involve the consent of the couple. However, it is important to distinguish this from forced or child marriage. In a forced marriage, one or both partners do not consent. In a child marriage, the partners are under 18 and cannot legally consent. The United Nations condemns marriages that lack consent.

Scholars categorize marriage types into four distinct groups based on how much choice people have. The first group is forced arranged marriage. In this type, parents or guardians select the spouse without consulting the individuals. The second group is consensual arranged marriage. Here, the guardians select a candidate, but the individuals are consulted. They have the power to refuse the match. An example is the shidduch custom among Orthodox Jews. The third group is self-selected marriage. In this case, the individuals choose their own partner first. They then consult parents or guardians, who may have a veto. The fourth group is autonomous marriage. This is when individuals choose their partners without any consultation with parents.

Arranged marriages have a long history across many global cultures. Until the 18th century, they were the norm throughout much of the world. During the Italian Renaissance, people used courtship and betrothal rites. In the Indian subcontinent, the Vedic period included a practice called Gandharva Vivah. In China, arranged marriages were the standard until the mid-20th century. These were often called "blind marriages" because the couple might not meet until the wedding day. In Russia, these marriages were common before the early 20th century. Many of these Russian marriages were endogamous, meaning they stayed within a specific social group.

There are different ways to classify the social structure of these unions. An arranged exogamous marriage occurs when a third party selects spouses from different groups. This means they do not share the same social or cultural background. An arranged endogamous marriage selects spouses from the same social or economic group. A specific type of endogamous marriage is consanguineous marriage. This is a union where the bride and groom share a common ancestor. Common examples include first cousin or second cousin marriages. In parts of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, 25% to 40% of marriages are between first cousins. In North Africa and Central Asia, these marriages can exceed 65% to 80%.

Migration and social changes have shifted how these traditions work in different countries. In the United States, migrant families often used arranged marriages until the first half of the 20th century. Japanese-American immigrants sometimes practiced "picture-bride marriages." In these cases, the couple only exchanged photographs before meeting on their wedding day. As these families settled into new cultures, the practice often changed. It frequently shifted to "quasi-arranged" marriages. In this stage, parents make introductions, but the couple meets before deciding. Eventually, descendants often move toward autonomous marriages based on individual dating and courtship.

While many arranged marriages are based on religious or cultural traditions, they face different legal rules. In India, the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 prohibits non-consensual marriages. It also sets age limits for brides and grooms. In the United Kingdom, uncle-niece marriages are illegal and considered incestuous. However, cousin marriages are not forbidden by law. In many parts of the United States and Europe, consanguineous marriages are against the law. In some rural areas of the Middle East and South Asia, social pressure can be very high. In these places, a woman who refuses an arrangement may face severe social consequences from her family.

Sociologists note that most modern marriages exist on a spectrum. Gary Lee and Lorene Stone suggest most adult marriages fall between consensual arranged and autonomous styles. This is because marriage remains a social institution. Research by Broude and Greene found that out of 142 cultures studied, 130 had elements of arranged marriage. This shows how deeply these social structures are woven into human history. Even as individualism increases in Europe and North America, some groups still practice these traditions. For example, certain fundamentalist Mormon groups in the United States use placement marriages. These patterns show how people balance individual choice with community expectations.