Love Marriage or Arranged Marriage? Which is Good for society's well being?

Some devotees have been grappling with the fear that if forced arranged marriages were made illegal, it could lead to severe consequences for women and society. We worry that without arranged marriages, women might become directionless, leading to more unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and even prostitution, which could potentially ruin the next generation. This fear is often compared to the situation in highly developed countries like America and Europe, where arranged marriages are rare. We hear about troubling issues such as teenage pregnancies, adoption-related trauma, and abuse by stepparents, and it raises concerns about the effectiveness of love marriages. Are there statistics that can help challenge these beliefs? Is there evidence that countries with arranged marriages have better outcomes for women compared to those where love marriages are more common?

Let's explore some key statistics related to marriage, divorce, teenage pregnancies, and domestic violence, comparing countries with a higher prevalence of arranged marriages to those where love marriages are more common.

1. Divorce Rates:

   - Global Perspective: Divorce rates tend to be higher in countries where love marriages are more common. However, this is often because divorce is more socially acceptable and legally accessible in these regions.

   Western Countries (Love Marriages):

     - United States: The divorce rate is around 40-50% for first marriages.

     - United Kingdom: The divorce rate is about 42%.

     - Sweden: The divorce rate is around 47%.

   Countries with Arranged Marriages:

     - India: The divorce rate is less than 1%. However, this low rate is not necessarily indicative of marital satisfaction but may reflect cultural, social, and legal pressures to stay in marriages.

     - Japan: The divorce rate is around 35%, but arranged marriages are less common now, with a shift towards love marriages.

2. Teenage Birth Rates:

   - Western Countries (Love Marriages):

     - United States: The teenage birth rate is 15.4 per 1,000 women aged 15-19 (as of 2021).

     - United Kingdom: The teenage birth rate is about 11.9 per 1,000 women aged 15-19.

     - Sweden: The rate is approximately 4.4 per 1,000 women aged 15-19.

   - Countries with Arranged Marriages:

     - India: The teenage birth rate is around 23 per 1,000 women aged 15-19.

     - Bangladesh: The rate is about 83 per 1,000 women aged 15-19, reflecting higher rates of early marriage.

3. Homicides by Partners and Domestic Abuse:

   - Western Countries (Love Marriages):

     - United States: Intimate partner homicides account for about 16% of all homicides, with 1 in 4 women experiencing severe intimate partner violence (IPV).

     - United Kingdom: 1 in 3 women experiences domestic abuse in their lifetime, with around 2 women killed per week by a current or former partner.

   - Countries with Arranged Marriages:

     - India: Domestic violence is a significant issue, with 30% of women aged 15-49 reporting spousal violence. However, reliable statistics on intimate partner homicides are less readily available.

     - Pakistan: Domestic violence rates are high, with around 28% of women experiencing violence from an intimate partner. Homicide statistics linked to domestic abuse are not well-documented.

4. Child Marriage and Its Consequences:

   - Countries with Arranged Marriages:

     - India: Around 27% of women are married before the age of 18, leading to higher rates of early pregnancy and associated health risks.

     - Bangladesh: Approximately 51% of women are married before 18, contributing to higher rates of teenage pregnancies and maternal health issues.

   - Western Countries (Love Marriages):

     - United States and Europe: Child marriage is rare, with strict legal prohibitions. Teenage pregnancies are often related to socio-economic factors rather than cultural practices.

Comparative Insights:

   - Divorce Rates: Higher in love marriage countries, but this reflects greater individual freedom and social acceptance of divorce rather than the success or failure of marriages.

   - Teenage Pregnancies: Lower in countries with love marriages, particularly in Europe, where comprehensive sex education and access to contraception play a significant role.

   - Domestic Violence: While domestic violence is prevalent globally, reporting and legal action are more robust in love marriage countries, where women often have more rights and access to support systems.

   - Child Marriage: More common in countries with arranged marriages, leading to higher rates of teenage pregnancies and associated risks.

The statistics suggest that while countries with love marriages may have higher divorce rates, they also tend to have lower rates of child marriage, teenage pregnancies, and better support systems for domestic violence. On the other hand, countries with arranged marriages often have lower divorce rates but higher rates of child marriage and domestic violence, reflecting cultural and social pressures rather than marital satisfaction. The key takeaway is that the presence or absence of arranged marriages is just one factor, and the overall societal, legal, and cultural context plays a crucial role in these outcomes.

References:-

Here are the references with links to the statistics discussed:

1.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/marriage-divorce.htm

2.https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/divorce

3.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38396139

4.https://www.statista.com/statistics/1017351/japan-divorce-rate/

5.https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.ADO.TFRT?locations=US

6.https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/conceptionandfertilityrates

7.https://sweden.se/society/sweden-and-gender-equality

8.https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/adolescent-health

   9.https://bangladesh.unfpa.org/en/topics/adolescent-pregnancy

10.https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS

   11.https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/domesticabuseprevalenceandtrendsenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2021

12.http://rchiips.org/nfhs/factsheet_NFHS-5.shtml

13.https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/10/25/pakistan-new-law-tackle-domestic-violence)

13.https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/end-child-marriage

14.https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/resource-centre/factsheet-child-marriage-bangladesh/