Are Marriages Made in Heaven? A Cultural-Linguistic Case Study on Indian-English Matrimonials

Towards Safe Spaces Online: A Study of Indian Matrimonial Websites

“…Historically, the process of finding a spouse in India involved long discussions between family members that eventuated in unanimous agreement [17]. This pattern still holds and has not changed despite many other changes in Indian society [59]. Marriage is not merely the union of two individuals [69], but an alliance between two families [8].…”

“…If both families find a potential match desirable, they move ahead with the next stage in which the marriage seekers meet, talk, and exchange life histories, goals, and desires [69]. These meetings take place in a formal setting, in the families' presence [59]. If the potential spouses like each other, they confirm their consent to marry.…”

“…If the potential spouses like each other, they confirm their consent to marry. An exchange of gifts between the families then marks the commencement of the new relationship, followed by the marriage ceremony [59].…”

“…90% of all Indian marriages are arranged marriages [59,83]. Indian matrimonial websites offer what we refer to as a "safe space" by helping family members stay involved in and watching over the matrimonial process.…”

Preferred Parental Control of Mate Choice, Opposition to Out-Group Mating, and Ethnic Identification in Surinam

“…In South Asia, and especially in India, parental control of marriage has been—and still is—rather common (Gautam, 2002; Madathil & Benshof, 2008; Pimentel, 2000). Even though societal norms are changing, parental consent continues to be of crucial paramount importance for a socially accepted marriage (Polzenhagen & Frey, 2017). This tendency also pertains among many immigrant communities from South Asia living in Western countries.…”