Arranged Marriages Are Popular Among Hindu and Muslim Youth in America

12-02-2002, 11:50 AM

.. Arranged Marriages are Popular Among Hindu and Muslim Youth in America
Source: Associated Press

MIAMI, U.S.A., November 16, 2002: Many Hindus and Muslims growing up in
America are following in the footsteps of their parents by having their
marriages arranged. For example, one young couple, Mala Shay Kher who grew
up in Florida and Prashant Kaul who grew up in London, were engaged in
August and plan to marry in January. Parents on both sides knew each other
back in India and asked the couple to consider marriage in 1998. Kher, a
University of Miami medical student says, " We never would have met if our
families didn't arrange our marriage. There was no pressure like we had to
do it. It's like a friend setting you up on a blind date, except it's your
parents. In America and Europe, people have a negative connotation of
arranged marriage." Christine Gudorf, a religious studies professor at
Florida International University says, "In Muslim countries and India,
education has changed the way marriage works. In the past, girls were
married at 12 or 13 and not mature enough to make choices. Forced marriages
at young ages still occur, but they're rare for the middle and upper-classes
that immigrate to the United States." Both Muslim and Hindu families, who
frown on dating, network among friends and relatives to find a potential
suitable mate for their children. Minal Ahson, a 19-year-old Muslim girl,
says, "Avoiding dating helped me concentrate on my schoolwork. One reason
why parents are involved in marriage is because you tend to get stars in
your eyes when you fall in love. You might overlook bad qualities of the
person." Loretta Ross, executive director of National Center for Human
Rights Education in Atlanta says, "Young immigrant women are vulnerable to
being coerced into marriage. People you love can pressure you to do a lot of
things, especially family members." Saba Khan, a 19-year-old Muslim girl who
attends the University of Miami adds, "My parents plan to give me the final
say on anyone they recommend to me," and blames the media for the
misconceptions. "It's rare that people are forced into marriages. A happy
family just isn't news."

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