Marriage-The Obsession Of Every Indian Parent

Summary

In India, marriage is often viewed as a significant social obligation rather than an individual choice, with parents playing a central role in the matchmaking process, influenced by cultural, religious, and societal expectations.

Abstract

The article discusses the cultural obsession with marriage in India, where parents prioritize their children's nuptials from birth, often more than their education or career. This societal pressure is compounded by traditional preferences for male children to avoid dowry expenses and the relentless inquiries from relatives about marriage plans, especially once a person reaches their mid-20s. Indian parents consider it their duty to ensure their children are married, believing it leads to a settled life, children, and societal approval. The matchmaking criteria are heavily influenced by religion, culture, profession, and astrological compatibility. However, the article argues that marriage should be a personal decision based on readiness and mutual ownership of the relationship, rather than a response to parental or societal pressures. It emphasizes that happiness can be found in being single or married, and the decision to wed should not be rushed.

Opinions

Indian parents are deeply involved in their children's marriage, seeing it as a duty and a means to ensure societal approval and a settled life for their offspring.
The importance of marriage in India is such that it overshadows individual aspirations and passions, with societal and familial pressures dictating the timing and selection of a partner.
The article suggests that the emphasis on marriage is more about maintaining the parents' image in society and fulfilling social expectations than about the individual's readiness or desire to marry.
There is a critical view of the traditional mindset that favors sons over daughters due to the perceived burden of dowry.
The author advocates for marriage to be a personal choice, made when both individuals are ready, rather than a social obligation or a decision made under pressure.
The article implies that a successful marriage is one based on personal choice and mutual readiness, and that happiness is not exclusively found within the bounds of marriage.

Marriage is a beautiful bond between two people rather than a social obligation

From the birth of the child, Indian parents are obsessed with their marriage. Health, education, and employment of children are worries for Indian parents but marriage is the most important concern for them. Indian parents feel they are fully responsible for their kid's Education, Professional career, and also in choosing the partner.

People in India still have their mindset to have a son so that can be easy to marry him and parents can be unhappy if they have daughters as they have to think about dowry money for the wedding. If you are over the age of 23 yrs marriage is definitely on your parent's and relatives' minds. It doesn't matter if you are ready or not. All your distant relatives will start asking and pressuring your family about the marriage.

Why is marriage so important in India?

Match Making criteria

Indian families explain their criteria to the matchmaker, which is highly influenced by family tradition and culture.

Based on Religion- Parents prefer to find a match in the same religion. In arranged marriages, it's quite common to find a partner in the same religion.

Based on culture- In the Indian family culture and tradition play a very important role. Parents prefer to find families in the same region and who have the same language and food.

Based on Profession- Match-making is also based on profession and social status. In India, some families are also obsessed with Government jobs.

Based on Horoscope- Many families also check the horoscope of Boy and Girl before the alliance. Astrology predicts the compatibilities of two people.

Why marriage is so important in India as per Indian parents?

It has become the obsession of parents that it’s more of a family matter than an individual choice.

Parents think it is their prime duty to see that their sons and daughters get settled and married.

Marriage is important so that everyone can have kids and have a life plan and get settled in life.

One’s marriage is compulsory in India by the age of 30 as the relatives and society will start pressurizing.

To maintain parents' image in society, they arrange a grand wedding for the kids and make their distant relatives happy.

A good marriage and a settled life are more important rather than following their dreams and passions-that can be done later also.

The children's biological clock is ticking.

Parents also think that their kids won’t find a good match after a particular age.

Parents want to get free with the responsibility of kids marriage before their retirement.

Marriage should be a personal choice rather social obligation

Marriage is a wonderful relation but if two people are ready for it and take full ownership of their relationship. If you are getting married just for the sake of parents' obsession or society pressure then the relationship will not last long.

Marriage should be a person’s own choice. Some people prefer to live alone, while some might be waiting for their soul mate to emerge. It is not necessary to marry and it is better not to marry in a hurry or because of social obligation.

Final thoughts-

Marriage is a lifelong commitment and the decision should not be made in a hurry. It's a union of two souls and it should be based on personal choice. Happiness does not end in getting married. You can feel happy being single or can be happy being married.

Indian parents are concerned about child marriage but let the child decide if he or she is ready for marriage because it's the child who has to stay happy. Parents should not take any decision just because of relatives or social pressure. Don't stress about child age, let them be ready to get married. In the last its the child life who has to stay happy with the other person for the rest of the life.

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