In our North American culture, marriage is assumed to be based on two people making the decision to live together forever because they are in love. If a marriage in American fails, the two individuals simply move on with their lives and the divorce is accepted by their family as well as society. Not all cultures, such as those of India, regard marriage in such a casual way however and in those cultures marriages are truly expected to last forever. The different attitudes with which Americans and Indians regard marriage have an effect on the final stability of the union; because the Indians devote a great amount of time and effort into finding a good match, the marriage lasts longer even though “true love” may not be a factor in the decision.
In India, where parents arrange marriages for their sons and daughters, divorce is not only uncommon, it is also not accepted by society. Because such emphasis is placed on a strong lasting marriage, the parent’s choice of a spouse for their child is thought through viewing every
In the United States however, the process leading to marriage is much more laid back and generally the interests of only the couple being married are taken into consideration. When examined closely, it is not surprising that so many marriages are unhappy or ultimately end in divorce. In America, often times marriages are rushed into by the couple who believe they are truly in love and wish to spend their lives together. Unfortunately, during these rushed decisions, two people are often blinded by the “love” they are feeling which prevents them from considering all of what a marriage will entail. This illustrates another difference between the marriage in Indian cultures and those in North America; in marriages set by the parents, the possibility of judgment being clouded by mistaken “love” is non-existent. American’s have taken some of the importance and meaning out of being married. Today marriage is often times seen as “the next step” in an on going relationship and a step that can always be erased by divo
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