Arranged marriages: أفكار لمقال IELTS

Some people believe that parents should help to choose their children's marriage partners, while others think young people should decide for themselves. In my opinion, individuals should make the final choice, although parental advice can be valuable.

Supporters of parental involvement offer sensible reasons. Parents have more life experience and can judge a potential partner's character, family background and compatibility without being blinded by romance. In many cultures, marriage is seen as a union between two families, and a match approved by both sides can bring stronger support, shared values and financial stability. Arranged marriages are often said to have low divorce rates in countries such as India, since couples enter the relationship with realistic expectations and commit to making it work.

However, I believe that the individual must have the final say. A marriage lasts for decades, and the two people involved are the ones who will live with the consequences. Compatibility, affection and trust are personal matters, and a partner chosen purely for status or wealth may lead to unhappiness. Forcing someone to marry a person they do not want can cause emotional distress, and in the worst cases it is a violation of human rights. Young adults today are also better educated and more independent, so they are quite able to make informed decisions. Moreover, a low divorce rate does not necessarily mean a happy marriage, as some couples stay together because leaving is socially difficult.

A sensible compromise is for parents to introduce suitable candidates and offer honest advice, while allowing their children to meet and get to know them and to refuse if they do not feel comfortable.

In conclusion, although parents can contribute wisdom, the decision about whom to marry should ultimately belong to the young people themselves.