The History of Arranged Marriages in America

There is no actual factual informational data available for the exact time in which the tradition of arranged marriages became apart of any individual culture. It is however, perceived that it has been around as long as the institution of marriage, itself. There are many reasons and beliefs behind this world-wide culture.

It is also takes place, today, in certain parts of the world. It is more prevalent in the Eastern part of the world, but not exclusive to their culture only.

Arranged marriages also existed in the United States in the 1700 and 1800's hundreds. It occurred, predominantly, in the southern states and often to first and second cousins. This was thought to keep the blood lineage of an aristocratic family line to stay pure.

It not uncommon for the bride and groom to be introduced to each other on the day of their nuptials. Many times they have grown up all their lives as playmates, nonetheless, when the time came, and often it came when the female child was as young as fourteen or fifteen, the marriage would take place and you bride and groom had no say so in the matter. This was a business arrangement that took place many years by the parents and this tradition was never to be broken.

Arranged marriages, historically dates back as far as the institute of marriage itself. Many cultures world-wide have believed in the tradition of arranged marriages for many Centuries and some still practices it today. Currently, it is more prevalent in the Middle Eastern part of the world, however, it is not only isolated to this area. It was also practiced, right here in America, particularly during the 1700 and 1800 hundreds and predominantly in the Southern States. Often, at times, these marriages were arranged between first and/or second cousins. Though presently, it is illegal to marry a first cousin, in the majority of the States in the US. Nonetheless, during the earlier Centuries there were no laws forbidding such a union, so it occurred frequently.

The hardships, within a marriage of this type, were commonly laid heavily upon the woman's shoulders. The woman's main function was to produce a male heir to leave the family legacy and inheritance to. Often, if the wife gave birth to a female gender child, she would continue to give birth until a male child was born. Once the male child is born, in some marriages, her job would be looked upon as fulfilled.

It was commonplace and tolerated by their societies for the husband in these marriages to have a mistress or sleep with some of his female slaves outside of his marriage. However, if a woman was even thought to have slept with someone other than her husband, she would be scorned and ostracized by the society in which she was born into. So, it was not the norm for the wife to take on a lover under any circumstances.

Also, if a slave was from a certain tribe known by the plantation owners to produce very healthy and strong slaves, it was also normal for these slave masters to arrange the marriages of his slaves. This was done to produce other very healthy, strong and profitable slaves.

Although, the practice of arranged marriages, tend to have a corporate business feel to it than that of a marriage between two people who love each other, it is thought, by many, that these marriages are more likely not to end in divorce because of the many similarities the bride and groom share in their upbringing. They would normally have the same religious background, come from the same cultural society, in some cases, grew up together, and share the same expectations in their marriages.

Present day America, arranged marriages are still practiced by the Amish, devout Orthodox Jews, and members of Unification churches. In the Jewish religion a "SHADACHAN" which is a marriage matchmaker is often used when the Jewish person wants to marry within their religion. In certain cases they do call on a match maker, which is a form of an arranged marriage. However, you do get to have some say in whom you choose to marry and have as much interaction, that you feel might be needed with your possible future spouse, as well.

This tradition, in the Jewish Religion, was started in Hebrew times and remained a part of them throughout many centuries. It is still looked upon with respected and practiced religion today by many.