Arranged Marriages

[David Slayer]

In Canada it is legal for a woman of 12 and a man of 14 to be married with their parents consent.

Although I don't have any historical evidence to point to at this point my gut feeling is that this may have had long term benefits. For example in todays day and age how many children are "free" to choose their partner and then their parents are not satisfied with the choice their child makes.

In an arranged marriage situation it would most likely be among a group of friends within a community. People who share the same values and morals. So in an ideal arrangement the 'grandparents' or 'parents' are friends. The know and respect each other. I think that this would have a positive impact on the relationship of the children.

This is probably going to strike people as 'old' fashioned but I thought I would throw this idea out there. I think that wise people with love would be able to discern who would make a good couple. I think that couples arranging marriages between their children is how some cultures managed to last as long as they did. Cheers.

[Larry Archer]

Arranged marriages are common in a lot of mid eastern and asian countries such as India. This type of marriage is part of their religious dogma. They have brought this custom to the US through immigration.

For me I am glad I married the gal I wanted and not some gal my parents picked. We have been together for 50 years.

Also 12 and 14 year olds are not ready for marriage in Canada or else where. I am an old fashioned man that says pick the gal of your dreams and make the best of it.

[David Slayer]

Larry, glad to hear that you have been married for 50 years. Sounds like you are happy. It is becoming more and more rare. Especially the happy part of the marriage.

Although it is not that common anymore most people have heard of a 'shotgun' wedding. This sort of thing probably doesn't happen very often in North America anymore but it happens in Mexico still quite a bit. In Mexico, a girls father will come and talk to a boys father and ask, "What are your sons intentions?".

Romeo and Juliet could be arguably the most famous example (although fictional) of two lovers defying their parents in an effort to be married to their chosen mates. Obviously it is a tragedy. We ourselves live in tragic times. Romeo and Juliet is probably still one of the most influential plays ever produced and many people are drawn towards 'tragic love' because of it.

The issue of arranged versus 'love' marriages has been addressed exhaustively in western culture to say the least.

The term 'arranged marriage' now is most commonly associated with India and probably the Middle East however it was a very common custom in Europe up until the 20th century. The nobility in Europe still practices arranged marriage, i.e. Prince William was just married. Aren't they jew? I am sure that Willy and Kate are going to be 'happy' while fulfilling theirs duties and obligations as the most visible monarchs on the planet.

Which brings us to rights versus duties/obligations; children have rights as they are wards of their parents. Parents have duties/responsibilities/obligations to their children. Parents also have obligations to their respective communities/societies/countries to instill morals and instruct and educate their children as to what is expected of them. Parents are also responsible with ensuring that their children are capable of supporting their own family honestly and honorably as well as also being productive members of society. Being a productive member of society means not only being industrious but also being biologically productive, i.e. having children. Some of the reasons young people today don't want to reproduce is because of their own experience growing up.

In the novel, "The History of Tom Jones" (1749), Henry Fielding examines several issues related to this topic. The main characters Tom and Sophia are neighbors and are naturally attracted to each other at a certain point growing up. Sophia gets a crush on Tom when he tries to catch her pet bird that flew away and he ends up breaking his arm......(he is a pretty awesome lad). The only problem is that Tom is supposedly adopted. Although Tom is assumed to be adopted he demonstrates character that is in fact noble. Anyway it turns out to be a 'happy' ending because the two young lovers end up receiving the blessing of their respective parents when it is discovered that Tom is in fact his adopted fathers REAL nephew and he ends up becoming the heir.

D.H. Lawrence's short story "The Vicar's Daughters" comes to mind as an example of how parents treat their children as property and blackmail them into either marrying who they have chosen or face the prospect of being disinherited. This short story was written probably about 1920 or so so obviously arranged marriage was pretty fresh in Lawrence's mind. This story comes to my mind but it is definitely not the only time that he tackled this issue.

Even Don Quixote's (The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha, 1605/1615) simple squire Sancho Panza has concerns regarding his daughter Sanchita and seeks to assist her in procuring a suitable mate. It is probably more accurate to say that Sancho hopes to marry his simple daughter to a nobleman.

In "The History of Don Quixote" there are several examples of women having had their honor forfeited by a slick talking 'gentleman' promising them marriage only to leave them after having had his way with them. This book was written 400 years ago.

When the National Socialist came to power they started paying young people to have children. Right now the societies that we live in are so inundated with selfish/materialist/nihilist/guilt programming that if something isn't done soon the whole world is going to be populated by chinese workers and jew overlords. That is a fact.

Most people have probably heard that it takes a village to raise a child. Villagers usually have very similar values and morals and outlooks. I think that this idea is a good start:

Let me tell you about the Liberty Villages


If some young people met in this sort of village I think that they would stand a good chance of a successful marriage.

Maybe arranged marriage isn't exactly what I am talking about here. Maybe what I am saying is that marriages that form within a community that share similar goals and values stand a better chance of success.

Cheers.

[Larry Archer]

Thanks David. Actually it will be 52 years this year.

[vapors]

Originally Posted by Larry Archer

Thanks David. Actually it will be 52 years this year.

Congratulations Mr. Archer and lots of it.

I'm rather divided on this issue, but since I've made up my mind never to get married, I'm going to stay out of this dicussion.