Across the world, marriage practices differ substantially. Western culture marriages typically center around choice. However, there are cultures across the marriage that hold cultural values of arranged marriages. Choice is not encouraged in these marriages as "...it is believed that [this] might interfere with family closeness and prescribed familial obligations" (Madathil & Benshoff, 2008, p. 222). Typically, arranged marriages occur in cultures that are collectivistic in nature. In fact, arranged marriages are actually more predominant than marriages of choice. Some research has found that although individuals "...in arranged marriages may have different ways of achieving satisfaction in their marital relationships, their level of marital satisfaction can be at least as high as in a marriage of choice" (Madathil & Benshoff, 2008, p. 228). I'm curious to hear what you think of these findings and how it impacts your perception of arranged marriage. References Madathil, J., & Benshoff, J. M. (2008). Importance of marital characteristics and marital satisfaction: A comparison of Asian Indians in arranged marriages and Americans in marriages of choice. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 16(3), 222-230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480708317504