I only know one couple that had an arranged marriage. They came from a culture where this was the norm. They are very happily married and have 2 teenage children. In America this is not the norm but I can see how there are benefits to choosing on your own because you love the person and also in respecting the choice of your parents. I, like skyadamani, am on the neutral side. I think that people in todays American culture should really take their committments regarding marriage more seriously and learn from the dedication of those in other cultures. Too many times there are decisions made on the feelings for the moment and not enough is invested in the person that you're going to spend the rest of your life with. My parents would have been married 37 years this October. My Dad passed away a little over 2 years ago. I would like to see more marriages that last and people making decisions to fully and completely dedicate their lives to one another no matter what. This takes work whether it's arranged or not.

 I am on the neutral side, because not all love Marriages sucessful. In one way arranged marriages are better.

 I am on this side because I want to point out the merits of arranged marriages. These type of marriages have never been accepted in America although parents tend to strongly urge their children toward certain partners. In other cultures it is believed that the parents know the needs of the child better than the child. A suitable partner is selected from someone of the same background, faith and economic level. The parents also consider personality traits. Sometimes a shy girl is paired with a gregarius boy as a balance. The positive part of this is that from birth young peole know that this is how they will get their marriage partner. They are taught that since they did not fall in love before marriage their responsibility is to find traits and characteristics in the person that they admire and love. I n time, often the couple will fall in love. The difference is that here where we do follow our hearts and marry whom we choose we don't make a committment to continue to love and cherish that person. Rather than look for things to admire American couples find fault and pick at each other. When the going gets rough they divorce. Other cultures that arrange marriages don't let the marriages end so easily.

 I'm against it.

 All marriages are arrangements. Don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise. Love is only part of it.

 Isn't that called shotgun wedding?

 Personally, I'm against arranged marriages, but it's a cultural things in other places. I'm not in any position to say it's wrong, but I highly disagree with the reasons why they arrange marriages.

I just hope it turns out completely fine and a mutual love.

 Arranged marriage is not a true love relationship and I can't see how it can work and both people be happy.

 Arranged marriages can fail, but so can ones where you get to pick who you're with. I picked who I married, but I have nothing against arranged marriages. I think that you can learn to love the other person in an arranged marriage.