American vs Indian (ASIAN) Marriage - Essay Example

American versus Indian marriage Cultural diversity is a common attribute that is easily traceable within all social set-ups within the human societies. It is therefore an often sought for explanation on variations observed between behaviors of people from different parts of the world as well as the people who share variations in cultural believes and practices. For instance, the practices of marriage differ from a culture to another and this is more visible with communities living in different places and having different ancestry. This paper therefore intends to evaluate the cultural shock that an observer from the Indian culture observes a cultural marriage by the Americans. There are distinct differentiating features between the cultural marriages by the two cultures as represented by Indians and Americans. The Indians have held dear to traditionally arranged marriages over the course of cultural evolutions. In a more shocking manner, the Indians still practice and believe in cultural marriages where the union is not based on love but rather, the parents of the groom take the responsibility of getting their groom a bride. This had an implication that neither of the marrying persons had a prior clue of who the partner was to be and relied on parental choices and consensus. Nevertheless, a changing trend has been observed in the recent past with grooms and the brides being allowed time for engagement through which compatibility is tested and with approval of the parties, then formal marriage ceremony is conducted. Nevertheless, the process of marriage in the Indian culture takes into consideration of some factors, which include the compatibility of the horoscopes to the marrying parties, wealth, family background, social standing as well as caste among other considerations. The Indian culture holds marriage institution with high regard and is seen as sacred and this informs the choice for parent to take an active role in such preparations because they are seen to be wiser than the children are. The marriage ceremony occurs at night with the Hindu culture with an approximate stretch of about six hours. Festivities and merry making prior and after the ceremony are constant features that define the cultural marriages by the Indians. Moreover, gifts are not stipulated as to who is to offer during the wedding and as such the two families involved shop for the gifts for the festive day. ‘Vedic rites and rituals’ stipulate particular rules which guide how the marriage is performed (‘iloveindia.com’, para 1-3). There is exchange of vows and promises among which the engagement is to be honored and kept intact until death separates the parties. However, much is the disparity that is observable between the cultural marriages as practiced by the American natives and the Indian natives. This paper is therefore presented on an account of an observer from East India who observes the American cultural marriage and was greatly shocked. The understanding of the liberty at which the western cultures bestow on individual persons in deciding on spouses is in itself a great shock in such an Indian society where the parents take an active role in deciding on spouses to their children. The Americans cultures have a provision referred to as the dating where young people are exposed into matters of relationships with provisions for intimacy, which exposes them into marriage relations (Fish, para 1-5). This therefore represents a loved rational in marriage where unlike with the Indian culture, marriage is established on a foundation of love and not on cultural ties of parental choices. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the traditional marriage systems upheld by native Americans were more alike with such practices that dominate the Indian culture even today. In the account of a shocking observation by the East Indian native, while visiting the United States, the observer noted a unique ceremony that happened at the attorney’s office. On enquiry and keen observation, a couple was exchanging marriage vows and a marriage was being presided over by the attorney. In the marriage according to the observer, there lacked any spiritual engagement and the signing of the marriage certificates was only presided over by the attorney representatives (Grossman and Yoo, para 1-5). This therefore contrasted much with the Indian cultural marriage where a wedding ceremony is presided over by a religious leader which symbolizes the divine nature of a marriage union. Besides, the civil marriage was wholly based on friendship and love where the couple had already moved in together and were just officiating the union. The parents were least involved where to the shock of the Indian, most family relations to either of the parties had no previously interaction, a fact that signified the great disparity observable between the Indian culture and the American culture. The Indian culture also abhors dowry practices and various ceremonies are performed before a cultural marriage whereas in the American context, the civil marriage had no basis on such cultural issues like dowry. The American marriage only lasted shortly after which marrying and partying ensued with all kinds of fun being witnessed. The majority of the participants in the parties were grownups where unlike with the Indian culture, all groups are represented in such a ceremony. The observer noted that the marriage was not covered by any particular legal framework as defined in Indian cultural marriage provisions. The civil marriage as witnessed in America fails to recognize the sanctity of the institution and supremacy of God and is often contractual. The wedding couple signed into a marriage certificate that provided that the union was binding for only seven years upon completion of which, the couple had liberty to move out at will. This shocked the observer the more with the Indian marriage vows providing for no such a provision of exiting the union at will or even after a predefined time. In conclusion therefore, the western cultures, as presented by the civil wedding witnessed in this context shows a great disparity with the cultural provisions on marriage in India. The observer was keen to not such differences as the willful acceptance of marriage by partners represented by love in the American context. The Indian context presents a scene where the parents have the active role in deciding on their children partners (Galt, para 1-7). On the other hand, chastity and God’s supremacy are honored in the Indian cultural weddings whereas in America, civil marriages take no regard on spirituality of the marriage institution. Contracts in marriage are observed in America but are not seen in India. Works cited Fish Jefferson M. “Arranged Marriages” 2010. Web. 2 December 2013 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/looking-in-the-cultural-mirror/201004/arranged-marriages ‘iloveindia.com’, “Arranged Marriage” nd. Web. 2 December 2013 http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-traditions/arranged-marriage.html Galt John, “Comparing Marriage in the United States with Marriage in India” Web. 2 December 2013 http://voices.yahoo.com/comparing-marriage-united-states-marriage-595642.html Grossman Cathy Lynn and Yoo In-Sung, “Civil marriage on rise across USA” Web. 2 December 2013 http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-10-06-civilmarriage-usat_x.htm Read More