More times than not the people in the arranged marriage don't actually want to get married. So MOST of the time, arranged marriages and "forced marriages" are one in the same. But you're right in saying there's a difference. Just, to my knowledge, not a very big one.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I would agree that arranged marriages and forced marriages are basically the same thing; however, people in arranged marriages not wanting to get married is almost completely inaccurate. I know a few kids from India (I think?) who came to America to go to college, and when they went back to India they married someone whom they had never met before. My brother (who went to school with them) was like WTF! You're getting married to someone you haven't even met before? And they responded that they completely trusted their parents to make a good decision in who they were going to marry. This seems strange (and awful) from an American perspective, but if you were brought up in that culture you would probably think American marriages were weird. Also, I think this has something more to do with their religion, but arranged marriages enforce the concept of learning to love. I'm kind of unintentionally idealizing arranged marriages. Whoops. I mean, I don't support it, glad I'm not a part of it, but it's ignorant of you to make assumptions about arranged marriages when you are looking at it from strictly an American perspective.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

One thing I do know is that arranged marriage in India has absolutely nothing to do with religion.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

they really aren't basically the same thing in an arranged marriage, there is consent from both parties in the forced one, someone (or both) is/are married against their will

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Also, just read you're half Egyptian. So actually you're probably more knowledgeable about this topic than I am. Disregard everything I said, if you wish.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

What you said is absolutely right, actually.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

False. We did a huge portion on arranged marriages in anthropology. A large portion of girls feel comfortable and confident that their parents will pick a good mate for them, and feel it takes a lot of pressures off the whole teenage dating thing. They feel the same way about picking their own mate as you do about having your parents pick your mate. It's culture, there's nothing inherently wrong or weird about it.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

not really. my close friend is sikh and he has arranged marriages.. he said that his parents pick out his wife and all, but they don't force it upon him. it's all about the family i suppose. but most sikhs for example aren't as harsh

by Anonymous 11 years ago

hmm I think there are a lot more factors involved the majority, if not all, I know of personally are arranged marriages with consent I think forced marriages are emphasized so it looks like more of them happen than the actual number forced marriages are actually against religious permission kind of like with car/plane crashes car crashes are greater in number but plane crashes are more emphasized in the news

by Anonymous 11 years ago

when I say kind of like with car/plane crashes I'm talking about in comparison to arranged/forced marriage

by Anonymous 11 years ago

ARRANGED MARRIAGE: Parent: Son, would you like to marry this woman? *Shows picture* Son: No! Parent: OK, how about her? *shows another picture* Son: Not really.. Parent: Fine, How about this one? *Shows another picture* Son: Yeah she looks OK, arrange a meeting with her and if we get on then we'll proceed further. *Son meets with girl and if they get on and they both agree then they get engaged. FORCED MARRIAGE: Parent: Son, meet your new wife *Shows picture* Son: There's no way I'm getting married to her, she's not my type. Parent: Too bad, I've got a business deal with her dad and I get a lot of money if you get married this girl. Son: I'm not marrying her, I have a girlfriend! Parent: Yes you are, the wedding's next week. Son: .... *Son is then forced to marry her against his will through emotional/financial blackmail or he can choose to run away* Hope this explains the difference :-)

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Or you can have the best of both worlds...by arranging a forced marriage, or forcing an arranged marriage!

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I have alot of family in Pakistan and India where arranged marriages are fairly common. There is a common misconception where people assume that the parents force you into marrying someone you have never even met before, but most of the time that's not the case. The marriage usually takes place between two families that know each other very well and know that the couple would be good match for each other. And the people being married don't take it the wrong way either--they trust their parents to make a good decision and know that they are only doing it in their best interest. From a personal standpoint, I can say that arranged marriages do work out the majority of the time. My parents had and arranged marriage and they have been happily together for nineteen years this December. My aunt and uncle didn't even see each other till their wedding day and they have been married for twenty six years. I'm not exactly vouching for arranged marriages--I would like to meet someone on my own someday and my parents fully support that--but they'e not all as bad as people make them out to be.

by Anonymous 11 years ago