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An arranged marriage is a marriage arranged by someone other than the persons getting married, curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. There are different reasons why arranged marriages are done, and also how different socities view the concerpt of arranged marriages.

Some years back the concerpt of arranged marriages was a bit common in Zimbabwe. However with the passage of time with people learning new cultural values and the general quality of life improved, the concerpt was no longer as prominent. But do we see signs of arranged marriages coming back?

There are different types of arranged marriages;

Traditial arranged marriage: There is no courtship in this type of marriage. The parents or matchmaker select the pair. These can be agreed at the first meeting. This was very common long back in Zimbabwe. Do we see it coming back today, yes a lot has happened to our country which may force people into these types of relationships.

Morden arranged marriage: In this case several candidates are chosen, courtship is curtailed or absent. There is no much pressure to agree first time. This seems to be a bit more common now with the use of match making sites.

Introductions only: The son or daughter is introduced to the potential spouse. The children are left to develop their relationship. There is no pressure put on them and there are no time limits to marry. I have had cases of these arrangements very often. These days mostly involving Zimbabweans in foreign countries and those back home. There are different reasons for doing this.

Factors considered in arranged marriages include:

- Reputation of the family, if a family has got a high standing in the community families would prefer their daughter or son to get married in that family.

- The type of profession, level of education and employment status also plays a major part in influencing the family’s decision.

- Religion and Wealth, most families would prefer their daughter to be married into a wealth family. Now with a lot of Zimbabweans outside the country, and the worsening economy people will be even looking for their daughters to be married in wealth families. Foregn currency dominates people’s lives these days. Some now charge lobola money in foreign currency and even charging cars and cell phones. Gerri at Living Zimbabwe, wrote an article on how people charge these bride prices in Zimbabwe.

- Immigration, families living in foreign countries may prefer their son to get married to someone from their home country. Immigrating to wersten countries has influenced people in different ways. I have talked to some guys who feel they can not get the right type of girls from Zimbabwe in the foregn countries they are living now. Most of the traditional values of how husband and wife relate are no longer there, ever since the concerpt of equal rights came.

It is also common that after a certain age one is expected to get married. If one is not married this may cause problems in the family and mostly women are at a disadvantage because of how the traditional society views them after a certain age without beign married. We also have cases of single mothers or fthers who may also find it difficult to get a partner for different reasons. The concerpt of arranged marriages may work for them.

However even though there are arguments for arranged marriages, the negatives are in the case of child marriages and forced marriages were family and social interests are far more important than that of the daughter or son. What is important is love between the pair and what the future holds for them.

Wehther an arranged marriage for someone living in Zimbabwe and another in a foreign country works, depends on a lot of factors. Hopefully all those in relationships like that will succeed and have happy families.

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