What is an Arranged Marriage?
In GCSE sociology, an arranged marriage is one in which parents or other family members choose a partner they believe will be suitable for their child to marry. Nowadays, they can be arranged by a matchmaker and even an online app can assist in sourcing a suitable partner.
Arranged marriages are based on consent: the individual has a right to choose whether or not to accept the partner. Until they find someone they are happy to marry, they will keep meeting possible partners i.e. keep their options open. Arranged marriages are common in countries in South and East Asia; they were also common practice for centuries in Britain as a means of securing land and strengthening ties between countries.
An arranged marriage is different to a forced marriage, which is where one or both partners do not give their consent but the wedding goes ahead against their will. This type of marriage is illegal in Britain and forcing someone to marry carries a maximum prison sentence of 7 years.
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