Arranged Marriages - Do They Really Work?

Do people avoid divorce simply because it's a taboo?

This is the very first question that should be asked because people avoiding divorce might be keeping their marriages intact.

Partially true. Divorce is associated with the reputation of a family. So many couples simply choose to live life the way it is. They fear society and thus remain silent.

But on the other hand, there are couples/people who simply call off an arranged marriage. I have seen many couples/people getting divorced here in my locality recently. They get divorced, face society, marry again and stay happy.

I have also seen people getting divorced three times and marrying again and leading a happy life.

Why is the divorce rate so much lower?

Because, generally, it's a woman most of the time who is suffering in an arranged marriage. And she chooses to keep mum over it. The reasons are that she values the so-called reputation of her family and she fears society. 'What will people say?' is the main reason for the lower rate of divorce in India.

Do arranged marriages in India really work?

My cousin sister got married eight years ago. It was an arranged marriage.

She is an extremely beautiful lady. Her husband has a black skin tone. If you look from the perspective of society it's an odd couple. At first sight, it may seem like the best example of the ‘worsts of an arranged marriage’.

But that's not the case.

They love each other, a lot. They care for each other. There's compatibility, chemistry, understanding, loyalty and every other good trait of a successful relationship.

Her husband is supportive. He has gone against the society when it was to be decided whether she should ditch saree for Indian ethnic dress or not. Because it's a tradition here that daughters-in-law must wear saree only. He fought. And he won. It wasn't as easy as it seems.

These days he insists that my sister should learn to drive a scooter. He is supportive but my sister is hesitant. Because it's uncommon for a daughter-in-law to drive a vehicle here.

And such incidents of his goodness are endless. The reason I know so much about them is that I am their best friend. They even have a cute daughter named Miral.

My sister is happily married. And she is going to be so for the rest of her life.

So, do arrange marriages work? Absolutely.

"Whether you fall in love and get married,

Or get married and fall in love.

The important part is love."

I have seen the absence of love even in love marriages and the presence of love even in arranged marriages.