Arranged Marriage in Theoretical Perspective
Theories of attraction and mate selection would view arranged marriage in
the following ways.
THEORY
Social
Exchange
Arranged Marriage
Each family tries to maximize the benefits while minimizing the
costs when finding an appropriate partner. They will try to find
economic or social status benefits for the young adult and his or
her family. A dowry or a bride price may be offered to ensure
that the exchange is good.
The families (or marriage brokers) find the field of eligible
Murstein’s
Filter Theory partners. They focus particularly on the homogamy filter for
age, race, education, socio-economic class, and religion. There is
no trial filter.
The triangle would start at the time of marriage. It would be
Sternberg’s
Love Triangle hoped that there would be a sexual attraction to encourage
passion, but that is only one aspect of the triangle. Friendship is
encouraged to start a marriage as well. Commitment to one
another is encouraged by the families and culture: “It is
sometimes said that the West believes in love before marriage
and the East in love after marriage.”
Families and marriage brokers will help in the natural selection of
Evolutionary
mates, with the goal of finding a male who can provide for a
Psychology
future family and a female who is healthy enough to bear children
to carry on the family values, religion, name, etc.
The highest correlations for attraction are age, race, ethnic
Social
background, religion, socio-economic status, and political views.
Homogamy
These are the main characteristics that the family and marriage
brokers look for in a partner for an arranged marriage.
In the theory, attraction is based on the unconscious image of
Ideal Mate
the ideal mate formed from his or her perceptions of the meaning
Theory
of certain characteristics. Although the couple does not
necessarily choose the ideal mate, the parent’s do. The young
adults feel confident in their parents’ decision.
Developmental Individuals are able to relate to someone else when they
understand who they are and what their roles in life are. In
Psychology
arranged marriages, the expectations of families and partners
are clearly stated before the agreement.
These perspectives would discourage arranged marriages, as they
Conflict and
usually ensure that traditional roles are being followed and that
Feminist
the man has more financial responsibility than the woman.
Theory