Definition and Pronunciation
Arranged marriage is a marriage in which the partners are introduced or matched by family members, relatives, friends, religious leaders, professional matchmakers, or community members, rather than selecting each other independently. In an arranged marriage, the individuals typically have the opportunity to decide whether to accept or decline the proposed match.
Pronunciation: uh-RAYNJD MAR-ij
Easy Explanation
An arranged marriage is a marriage in which other people, such as parents or relatives, help find a suitable partner for a couple. The people getting married usually meet before the wedding and, in many cultures today, have the choice to accept or reject the proposed marriage.
Arranged marriages have existed for centuries and are practiced in many parts of the world for cultural, religious, social, or family reasons.
Grammatical Formation
- Part of speech: Noun
- Plural form: Arranged marriages
- Related adjective: Arranged
- Related terms: Marriage, matchmaker, courtship
Word Comparisons
Arranged Marriage vs. Love Marriage
In an arranged marriage, families or other trusted individuals help identify a potential spouse. In a love marriage, the partners choose each other independently before deciding to marry.
Arranged Marriage vs. Forced Marriage
An arranged marriage generally involves the free and informed consent of both partners. A forced marriage occurs when one or both people are pressured, threatened, or compelled to marry without genuine consent. Forced marriage is recognized internationally as a human rights violation and is distinct from an arranged marriage.
Arranged Marriage vs. Matchmaking
Matchmaking is the process of introducing compatible people. An arranged marriage is the resulting marriage when a proposed match is accepted.
Arranged Marriage vs. Courtship
Courtship refers to the period during which two people get to know one another before marriage. Courtship may occur before an arranged marriage or a love marriage.
Connotations
The term arranged marriage generally has a neutral meaning. Its social and cultural significance varies across communities, religions, and countries. Modern arranged marriages often emphasize mutual consent and compatibility.
Meaning with Prepositions
Arranged marriage between
Example: The arranged marriage between the couple was supported by both families.
Arranged marriage in
Example: Arranged marriages remain common in some cultures.
Arranged marriage through
Example: The couple met through an arranged marriage process.
Arranged marriage with
Example: She agreed to an arranged marriage with someone she had come to know.
Real-Life Examples
In many cultures, families introduce potential partners based on shared values, education, religion, language, or cultural background. The prospective couple often spends time getting to know one another before deciding whether to marry. The level of family involvement varies widely among communities and individuals.
Synonyms
- Family-arranged marriage
- Matchmade marriage
- Family-assisted marriage (descriptive phrase)
- Introduced marriage (less common descriptive phrase)
Antonyms
- Love marriage
- Self-selected marriage (descriptive phrase)
Related Terms
- Marriage
- Love marriage
- Forced marriage
- Matchmaking
- Matchmaker
- Courtship
- Engagement
- Wedding
- Spouse
- Family
- Consent
- Relationship
- Culture
- Tradition
- Human sexuality
Common Collocations
- Arranged marriage
- Traditional arranged marriage
- Modern arranged marriage
- Arranged marriage system
- Arranged marriage process
- Arranged marriage proposal
- Arranged marriage ceremony
- Arranged marriage customs
- Arranged marriage tradition
- Arranged marriage practices
- Arranged marriage and consent
- Arranged marriage culture
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
Arranged marriage is a descriptive cultural and legal term. It has no established idiomatic or figurative meaning.
Sample Sentences
- Their families introduced them through an arranged marriage process.
- Many arranged marriages involve the free consent of both partners.
- Arranged marriage traditions vary across cultures.
- An arranged marriage is different from a forced marriage.
- Some couples in arranged marriages develop strong lifelong relationships.
- Families may help identify compatible partners.
- Cultural practices surrounding marriage continue to evolve.
- Understanding arranged marriage helps promote respect for cultural diversity.
Connection to Sexuality
Arranged marriage is a form of marital arrangement rather than a sexual orientation or gender identity. It may involve people of different sexual orientations and gender identities where legally and culturally recognized. Like any marriage, healthy arranged marriages should be based on mutual respect, informed consent, communication, and shared commitment.
Understanding arranged marriage helps distinguish between cultural marriage practices, legal relationships, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It also highlights the importance of consent and personal choice in discussions of relationships and human sexuality.
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