Arranged Marriages

596 Words2 Pages

Arranged marriages have been a useful tool for the consolidation of power and wealth; and also a means to manage poverty. For monarchys and nobility in Europe marriage was a tool that solidified alliances, and dictated politics. Often times the patriarchs of these families would marry off their children, or even distant relatives, in order to irreversably link the two families to serve the same interests. Another reason the an arranged marriage might have been forced is to protect an inheritance. In many cultures it was once impossible for land or wealth to be passed to females. Many times, in order to protect the family fortune, father's would marry the daughters. This ensured that the wealth didn't just pass away from the family to a distant …show more content…

Orthodox Jews often participate in arranged marriages because the Torah tells them that it is a bond which is commanded by god. Traditionally these marriages were arranged. But Orthodox Jews have strict rules that surround this practice. For example a significant age gap between the two spouses is considered unlawful, and the female must agree to the marriage for it to be a true marriage. Though, early teen marriage is not always discouraged in this culture it is being practiced less and less. In Hinduism, marriage is between two partners so that they may embark on their earthly journey and pursue duty, possessions, physical desires, and spiritual release. Traditionally these marriages have been arranged as to maintain their castes. The use of astrological charts at the time of birth, which are then studied by their priests, is a common method of selecting partners. Many Muslim's believe in the validity of the arranged marriage in part because the Quran gives it recognition, and also because of their long tradition of it's practice. The Quran also allows polygyny, though they are only allowed to have four wives. The practice of polygyny has declined in many Islamic countries, though is still practiced in up to 150 countries around the

Open Document