Love exists in every culture but differs in practice, function and need. Culture plays a dominant role in the way love and marriage are celebrated and conceptualized. Collective and individualistic culture influences how marriage is experienced. In India marriages are highly inclusive because of collective values, while in the United States they are exclusive because of the focus on the needs of the individual. Although the concept of eternal love and happiness is universal the manner in which it is celebrated greatly differs between people of different cultures.
In the Indian subcontinent, arranged marriages represent a significant majority of marriages. Similar to Americans, Indians value romantic love, yet the culture of arranged marriages …show more content…
False dichotomy means that the differences between the love and arranged marriages are seen by outsiders, because Indians do not see any difference. The culture is powerful and deeply entrenched that Indians do not think that there is a choice between love and arranged marriage. An arranged marriage is a love marriage. Nowadays, there are self arranged marriages where people opt to marry a person they have not dated previously or been in a relation with, without involving their parents (Allendorf 454). In the Indian culture, love comes naturally, whether the wedding is arranged or not. Studies show that marital satisfaction is prevalent in arranged marriages (Epstein 344). Many Americans cannot fathom how they can participate in an arranged marriage. In other words there is a cultural bias in the way arranged marriages are …show more content…
Weddings play an important role in the social calendar of Indian communities. A single wedding can go on for days and the couple is not allowed to restrict those who can attend. Those who attend Indian marriages are often not known to the bride or the groom. This is normal when the marriage is arranged or because the marriage is a community affair. In contrast, western marriages are private affairs where people are carefully invited. An Indian marriage brings the community together and contains more fanfare. As such, there are significant cultural differences.
Indeed, the differences between Indian and western marriage can be explained by their cultural values and orientations. India is a collective culture where the family is given more preference over the individual. American is an individualist society where people have control over their choice of partner. Marital relations are influenced by the extended family. Although the culture is changing, many Indian couples live with their families.
In the Indian subcontinent, arranged marriages represent a significant majority of marriages. Similar to Americans, Indians value romantic love, yet the culture of arranged marriages …show more content…
False dichotomy means that the differences between the love and arranged marriages are seen by outsiders, because Indians do not see any difference. The culture is powerful and deeply entrenched that Indians do not think that there is a choice between love and arranged marriage. An arranged marriage is a love marriage. Nowadays, there are self arranged marriages where people opt to marry a person they have not dated previously or been in a relation with, without involving their parents (Allendorf 454). In the Indian culture, love comes naturally, whether the wedding is arranged or not. Studies show that marital satisfaction is prevalent in arranged marriages (Epstein 344). Many Americans cannot fathom how they can participate in an arranged marriage. In other words there is a cultural bias in the way arranged marriages are …show more content…
Weddings play an important role in the social calendar of Indian communities. A single wedding can go on for days and the couple is not allowed to restrict those who can attend. Those who attend Indian marriages are often not known to the bride or the groom. This is normal when the marriage is arranged or because the marriage is a community affair. In contrast, western marriages are private affairs where people are carefully invited. An Indian marriage brings the community together and contains more fanfare. As such, there are significant cultural differences.
Indeed, the differences between Indian and western marriage can be explained by their cultural values and orientations. India is a collective culture where the family is given more preference over the individual. American is an individualist society where people have control over their choice of partner. Marital relations are influenced by the extended family. Although the culture is changing, many Indian couples live with their families.