Imagine having someone else choose your future life partner.
For thousands of years, arranged marriages were the norm in many cultures. Now, the mindsets of Middle Eastern men and Middle Eastern girls are changing. With access to the online world and modern lifestyles, Arab men and Arab women are fighting for their relationship freedom - making their own decisions about who their future partner will be.
Meeting and building relationships with people that have the same values, background and beliefs can be a challenge. Today's busy lifestyles make it difficult to meet potential partners. Having the same ideals, culture and religion are the basis of a mutually successful and lasting relationship.
Let's take a closer look at the meaning of arranged marriage.
Arranged marriage - also called "prearranged" or "forced" marriage - is a marriage arranged by someone other than the persons getting married. These marriages are common in the Middle East (Muslim men and Muslim women), South Asia and also occur in the Unification Movement and royal families.
The term "arranged marriage" is used even if the Arab parents have no direct involvement in selecting the spouse. The match could be selected by an Arab matchmaking agent or a trusted third party. In many communities, priests or religious leaders (as well as relatives or family friends) play a major role in matchmaking.
Motivating factors for such a marriage tend to be social or economic (i.e. Arab family or community goals served by the marriage are the priority). The preference of the Arab man or woman being married was considered insignificant.
The new world of arranged marriage
Online dating or Internet dating allows Arab singles to meet online and develop a relationship that leads to a marriage they choose to take part in. Arab dating sites provide un-moderated matchmaking through the use of personal computers and the Internet.
Arab singles looking to date simply provide personal information, and then search for other compatible Muslim singles using criteria such as age range, gender and location. Most Arab dating sites allow members to Chat, upload photos of themselves and browse the photos of others. Arab dating sites offer additional services - such as video chats, online chat and message boards. Here, single Arabs can exchange information and meet online.
It's easy to see why single Arab men and women enjoy online dating: they have complete freedom of choice and have a chance to get to know their potential partner!
Many online dating sites are broad-based, with members from a variety of backgrounds looking for different types of relationships. Obviously, Arab dating sites are more specific, but they offer Arab singles many more choices than an arranged marriage would. Welcome to the new world of technology vs. tradition.
For thousands of years, arranged marriages were the norm in many cultures. Now, the mindsets of Middle Eastern men and Middle Eastern girls are changing. With access to the online world and modern lifestyles, Arab men and Arab women are fighting for their relationship freedom - making their own decisions about who their future partner will be.
Meeting and building relationships with people that have the same values, background and beliefs can be a challenge. Today's busy lifestyles make it difficult to meet potential partners. Having the same ideals, culture and religion are the basis of a mutually successful and lasting relationship.
Let's take a closer look at the meaning of arranged marriage.
Arranged marriage - also called "prearranged" or "forced" marriage - is a marriage arranged by someone other than the persons getting married. These marriages are common in the Middle East (Muslim men and Muslim women), South Asia and also occur in the Unification Movement and royal families.
The term "arranged marriage" is used even if the Arab parents have no direct involvement in selecting the spouse. The match could be selected by an Arab matchmaking agent or a trusted third party. In many communities, priests or religious leaders (as well as relatives or family friends) play a major role in matchmaking.
Motivating factors for such a marriage tend to be social or economic (i.e. Arab family or community goals served by the marriage are the priority). The preference of the Arab man or woman being married was considered insignificant.
The new world of arranged marriage
Online dating or Internet dating allows Arab singles to meet online and develop a relationship that leads to a marriage they choose to take part in. Arab dating sites provide un-moderated matchmaking through the use of personal computers and the Internet.
Arab singles looking to date simply provide personal information, and then search for other compatible Muslim singles using criteria such as age range, gender and location. Most Arab dating sites allow members to Chat, upload photos of themselves and browse the photos of others. Arab dating sites offer additional services - such as video chats, online chat and message boards. Here, single Arabs can exchange information and meet online.
It's easy to see why single Arab men and women enjoy online dating: they have complete freedom of choice and have a chance to get to know their potential partner!
Many online dating sites are broad-based, with members from a variety of backgrounds looking for different types of relationships. Obviously, Arab dating sites are more specific, but they offer Arab singles many more choices than an arranged marriage would. Welcome to the new world of technology vs. tradition.