Culture can play a significant role in mate selection. Discuss this issue in terms of the success of arranged marriages and the types of dimensions that are viewed as "important" by various cultures

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Arranged marriages are a major way that some cultures ensure an appropriate match on key dimensions. For example, loyalty of the individual to the family is a very important value in India and 95% of marriages in India are carefully arranged to ensure that an appropriate mate is selected. Similarly, Islamic societies use matchmaking as a way to preserve family consistency and continuity and to ensure that couples follow the prohibition on premarital relationships between men and women. In traditional cultures such as China, India, Iran, and Nigeria, men place a high value on a woman's chastity, desire for home and children, and ability to be a good cook and housekeeper. Women place a high value on a man being ambitious and industrious, being a good financial prospect, and holding favorable social statues. In contrast, people in Western-industrial cultures value these qualities to a much lesser extent. Men and women in Spain, Columbia, and Greece value education, intelligence, and social refinement whereas men and women in Indonesia place a greater emphasis on a pleasing disposition.