Arranged marriages

They work for many; so no harm in trying

Jessica writes, "I have had over half-a-dozen serious relationships, got married, had a divorce, and have now been single for two years. I am just tired of the rat race to find a man to marry. Should I simply approach a marriage agency or ask friends/family to find me a husband. Will it work?"

Arranged marriage is the norm in many parts of the world. And if one were to look at the low divorce rates there (we must admit that women there also have less financial freedom and life is extremely difficult for a divorcee; hence, many women simply stay in bad relationships), it is fair to say that most of them work. In other countries like Japan, the concept of omiai exists - somewhat similar to our blind date, but somewhat stronger focus on marriage than a casual date. In summary, seeking help of others in finding a spouse is not a foreign concept anywhere in the world.

How to make an arranged marriage model work for you?

Keep an open mind. You never know what you gonna get but if you are willing to make the effort, it can succeed. And we are not talking of a marriage in which the first time the couple really sees each other is the bedroom after the wedding; we are simply discussing a scenario in which you agree to date and marry a person that others have vetted for you.
Any marriage can fail. Just look at the 50% divorce rates for marriages that were supposed to last till death. Every marriage is a gamble because we are not what we seem to be and we all change over time. So chances of your arranged marriage succeeding are probably as high as any other.
Marriage is work. No matter how close or far you are before the wedding day, marriage requires hard work each and every day.

Is an arranged marriage for you?

They work for many; so no harm in trying