Arranged marriages arent bad, but as for indian culture, it neglects to say how many actually end up being bad marriages. I know a few bad arranged marriages, and lots of good ones. Sometimes i feel they are good because externally they seem good. You never know how much "she" had to give in to work.
Remember for any relationship/marriage to work both parties has to work together. In most western relationships, if one partner doesnt work or tries sometihng else it doesnt work and it breaks down. In indian arranged marriages, even if it doesn work, the man ends up being teh domineering one and the woman has to adjust to make it work.
I dont agree with that, i have seen far too many 'spoiled' relationships, where teh women has to adjust to the man's ways. The indian man thinks he can be god, so they tend to be a bit agressive. If an western woman sees that agressive side she will bail. For these men, arranged marriages would work best - since most indian women (tradiational ones) are willing to compromise, but i ask at what cost. Sometimes these women compromise and are still abused. Women Abuse is a very big factor among south asian families. I know, my cousin and aunt are doing research / work in a shelter for abused women. Most indian women (in the US) finally come to one of these shelters, or call these shelters (800 numbers) to get advice.
Reality is that arranged marriage isnt 100% workable, cause youdot know how much the woman has given in to make it work. Why should a relationship be one way. My ex for instance never played 2 ways, hence she will be an ex forever. If I do marry an indian girl i have a few requirements. Arranged marriage is okay for me but i need to get to know teh girl before i agree to it. Which means i got to be able to date her and stuff.
As for divorces, they are happening far more these days in india. Women have been empowered and are divorcing their husbands. The indian system still has to change, like a single girl 'cant' buy a house or get a loan. It has to be signed by a man. My sister who we tried to transfer teh car to, couldnt be done, had to be transfered to her husband, who couldnt drive. Stupid system. But its changing. India is changing.
Divorce is looked upon badly among 'conservative' families. I personally know someone who got divorced back in the 60's only to get remarried to a really 'open minded' indian man. She was married for not too long but was abused, and managed to get a divorce in teh 60's when her parents realised teh mistake they had done. In her case her parents though they were getting their daughter married into a 'good family' with a good name. cause all taht is what mattered back then. But the boy was abusive and in this case an arranged marriage did not work, they realised it after she managed to 'escape' her husbands place back to her parents place.. It was clear the husband wasnt mentally stable. Divorce took place in india in the 1960's. She then got married in the late 60's by herself in a 'love marriage'. They are still married and have 3 children. She is a wonderful mom, and a good friend and someone i respect for all that she is.
As for indian girls here in the US.. they ALL SUCK!
Why may you ask? Well they cant do one thing I request - be honest with their families. They all (majority) sneak behind their parents back to date guys, and you know parents think their daughters are sure pure creatures. Blah! they dontknow what thier kids are doing.
If I date an indian-american girl, she has to be able to introduce me as her bf to her family (early on) and her parents have to be OK about it, and us dating and shouldnt have issues with us doing things. After all if she is over 21, she is an adult, regardless of things, her parents shouldnt impose onw hat she can and cannot do. that doesnt work. I just want a girl from similar background and family as I come from. I got the freedom, my sister did too.
Also i find far too many guju and punjabi people (women especially but men too) unwilling to accept being friends with someone outside their community much less date. We are all indians after all why the BS. I find students who come here from India are better and dont have this partiality, however indian-american ppl who were brought up here by parents who left back when india was india, are stuck in that mode. India has changed, hell i know indian girls in india who are openly dating ppl, and their peers here in the US cant do that.
It sucks i tell you.
As for me, I am staying single for the moment.