Cross Cultural Marriage Essay

Diversity in cultural Marriage Practices

Cobey Bellows

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Abstract This paper explores and distinguishes different marriage practices across the globe. My goal is for the reader to be able to analyze each culture, and their customs, and be able to distinguish differences between the two. I have compiled a plethora of information from the provided resources. I met the limited requirements by using three of the sixteen provided for my use. I used the three sources to gain further knowledge about the subject at hand. Two of the three articles were used to compare different cultural marriage practices, whilst the third was used to differentiate the two, and show why I think diversity is vital in modern globalization.

Diversity in Cultural Marriage Practices Cross-cultural marriage practices have become a more than common trend in today’s society. With vast improvements in technology, and mobilization, the ability for

Xu, Ocker (2013). In most cultures, you would usually have a priest conduct the ceremony. However, in the Chinese culture, a host oversees the event. Both the husband, and wife-to-be are dressed in a red dress. Most Chinese marriages are arranged. During the ceremony the host says, Xu and Ocker (2013),“The first kowtow is for the heaven and earth!”(p. 591) After this is said, the husband, and wife-to-be turn and bow. The host continues, Xu and Ocker (2013),“The second kowtow is for parents!”(p. 591) the two then bow to their parents. The host will continue; Xu and Ocker (2013), “The third kowtow is for each other!” (p. 591) The couple then bows to each other. The host completes the event by saying Xu and Ocker (2013) “Send them to the bridal chamber!” (p. 591) The two newlyweds disband household for a short amount of time, and a large jamboree concludes the entire event. Xu, Ocker