western and eastern divorces rates as an indicator of whether love marriages or arranged marriages are more satisfying and enduring.
There are a whole host of other variables at play in that situation -- how a society views divorce/divorced people, laws relating to divorce (who gets the kids, alimony, etc.).
Personally, I can see the attraction of approaching marriage as a business deal as it is done here with arranged marriages. Emotions are removed from the equation and a person is chosen because they suit you and will be a good match for you. That CAN make for a better long-term relationship. And if they are good to one another, the love (inshallah) will come/grow later.
But there is much to be said about being really attracted to the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with. Yes, the flame of initial love wanes and there must be something more to sustain a marriage when that happens, but if you don't even have that spark or any chemistry with your spouse, then I think it would be rather painful to endure a passion-less marriage for the rest of your life.
And let's be frank: it's obvious that there is enormous pressure on folks here to marry who their families think they should -- usually a first cousin. And while we can call it arranged and not forced, the bottom line is that at a certain point, kids here will not go against their parents' wishes -- even if they truly don't want this person. If it makes mom happy, then they'll do it.
The way to heaven is under the mother's feet, right?
"Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise."
-- Maya Angelou
western and eastern divorces rates as an indicator of whether love marriages or arranged marriages are more satisfying and enduring.
There are a whole host of other variables at play in that situation -- how a society views divorce/divorced people, laws relating to divorce (who gets the kids, alimony, etc.).
Personally, I can see the attraction of approaching marriage as a business deal as it is done here with arranged marriages. Emotions are removed from the equation and a person is chosen because they suit you and will be a good match for you. That CAN make for a better long-term relationship. And if they are good to one another, the love (inshallah) will come/grow later.
But there is much to be said about being really attracted to the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with. Yes, the flame of initial love wanes and there must be something more to sustain a marriage when that happens, but if you don't even have that spark or any chemistry with your spouse, then I think it would be rather painful to endure a passion-less marriage for the rest of your life.
And let's be frank: it's obvious that there is enormous pressure on folks here to marry who their families think they should -- usually a first cousin. And while we can call it arranged and not forced, the bottom line is that at a certain point, kids here will not go against their parents' wishes -- even if they truly don't want this person. If it makes mom happy, then they'll do it.
The way to heaven is under the mother's feet, right?
"Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise."
-- Maya Angelou