Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!
For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.
-Romeo, Act I.iv
"In fact, most of the world's marriages are arranged by parents or matchmakers...A study involving 50 couples from India suggests that love in [non-arranged] marriages decreases over time, that love in arranged marriage grows over time, and that love in arranged marriage may eventually surpass the love that occurs in [non-arranged] marriages" (Epstein 341).
-Epstein, Robert, Mayuri Pandit, and Mansi Thakar. “How Love Emerges in Arranged Marriages: Two Cross-cultural Studies”. Journal of Comparative Family Studies 44.3 (2013): 341–360. Web.
In addition to the ancient grudge between the Capulets and the Montagues, Juliet's arranged marriage with Paris presents a major obstacle that stands in the way of the famous "star-crossed lovers." In Elizabethan England, it was not uncommon for the aristocracy and the well-to-do merchant class to arrange their children's marriage, ensuring that the family estate or title was aligned with another respectable (and wealthy) family. However, arranged marriages are still alive and well today, and there is current research to suggest that it may actually be an attractive alternative to non-arranged marriages (50% of which end in divorce).
What do you think? Is it wrong for parents to control so much of their child's future by choosing their spouse for them? Or, with the current high divorce rates, does it make more sense for family members, who know you well and wish the best for you, to choose your partner?
This is an active debate and controversial issue in society today. Now you can join the conversation! Compose a 200-250 word response in Microsoft Word, then paste it into a "comment" on this post. You may either post a new comment, or reply to someone else's comment, but remember you MUST be respectful online. Remember to form your argument in a strong thesis statement, back up your argument with evidence or examples (you may quote or paraphrase Romeo and Juliet or Robert Epstein), and end with a conclusion that acknowledges the other side of the debate.
When we are done, we will be able to see everyone's input! That's what debates are all about - multiple perspectives!
