What Happens When Marriage Is Arranged? The Surprising Truth Revealed!

Arranged marriages, a practice that has been around for centuries, can be a daunting experience for many of us, especially in today's society where we are constantly reminded of the importance of following our hearts and making our own choices. However, for many cultures and communities, arranged marriages are an integral part of their tradition and heritage. Despite the potential risks of failure, many couples have made their arranged marriages work, while others have sadly parted ways. Recently, people who have had arranged marriages and some who later divorced have been sharing their stories, giving us an eye-opening glimpse into the realities of this complex institution.

Bharati, who had an arranged marriage seven years ago, shared her experience saying that, although she was hesitant at first, her parents encouraged her to go ahead and meet her potential spouse. Today, she says she cannot imagine a life without her husband. "At first, I was hesitant. My parents kept telling me about this guy, and I was like, Who is he? Why do I have to marry him? But then I met him, and we started talking, and I realized that we had so much in common. Now, we have two beautiful kids, and I am grateful to my parents for making me see the sense in it."

Another individual, Amir, also shared his story. Amir had an arranged marriage three years ago, but unfortunately, the couple later divorced. Amir explained that the divorce was not solely due to the fact that the marriage was arranged. However, he does believe that the lack of freedom in making their own choices added to their marital problems. "We had a lot of trouble adjusting to each other's lifestyle, and we often found ourselves seeking our parents' advice on how to navigate our problems. When you are getting married to someone you barely know, it takes a while to get used to them, and we didn't really have the time or space to work on our issues. Looking back, I think that having a say in my choice of partner would have been beneficial to my marriage.

A study found that the divorce rate among arranged marriages was significantly lower than in the general population. Another study, however, suggests that the arrangement might not significantly lower the chances of divorce; the likelihood of getting a divorce can be attributed to a lot of things, including psychological, social, and environmental factors.

Given the varying outcomes, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact reason why some arranged marriages work and others fail. Perhaps the success of an arranged marriage can be attributed to the fact that both parties share the same values and vision for their future, or maybe it is a result of compromise, tolerance, and acceptance.

Regardless of the reasons for the success or failure of arranged marriages, one thing that comes across in the stories that have been shared is that love is still very much possible, even in an arranged marriage. Perhaps the initial step of selecting the partner is based more on compatibility and less on the chemistry of the two individuals, but love can still grow over time. Ultimately, for arranged marriages to be successful, communication, trust, and compromise are needed in the journey forward.