In the journal, Arranged Marriage Get a Little Reshuffling, by Lizette Alvarez she mentions a newer form of arranged marriages and the older one. It used to be that parents who pick out a mate for their child and would host a large family dinner for the meeting. Most often times the family would pick the mate and the children would have little say. All they could do is present themselves as a wonderful candidate for a husband or wife. However, now what is becoming more popular is something like speed dating. Hindus would be one night and Muslims the next each participating in approximately three minute meetings at restaurants or bars before the next date. With this age of evolution, the necessity to change of some of the older customs like arranged marriages is becoming more and more popular. This way potential candidates have a chance to evaluate one another more than just one time before they are forced into marriage. Instead of possibly allowing a child to go unwed they are encouraging this new way so that their child has a way to adapt to a new culture.
One of the reasons I chose this journal was because I have always had interest in cultures outside of my own. I remember when I first learned about arranged marriages I wondered how parents could ever get their children to accept such wishes. I remember about 4 or 5 years ago I attended my next door neighbours arranged marriage. It seemed slightly strange, but I was told they grow to love each other. However, in this new article I was interested in this newer form of almost speed dating. At times it is hard to believe that you will actually find your true love in that way, but it does present the opportunity for you to decide who you think would be a good fit for yourself. Often times with an arranged marriage you might meet your future spouse once or twice before the big day and it gives little room for a relationship to be formed before they actually get married. With speed dating you don't necessarily have to find someone who is your true love, but you know better than your parents who you would be willing to spend the rest of your life with. The journal was based of of Muslims and Hindus living in Britain where there is a much smaller selection than there is in their home countries. This being said, by allowing your child to go out and find what they want, there is less of a chance that they will go unmarried. The abiding principles behind an arranged marriage are still powerful in such that there should be no sexual activity before marriage and that one must always remember family knows best. But this new way of flexibility gives their child a chance live their life without any misery and so that they may live a happier life, and hopefully a wed one. I believe this story is showing a lot of culture adaption and its interesting to see how the world is transforming all around the world.
