Dear MEL Topic Readers,
What the data tells us about love and marriage in India
The caste system in India has its origins in ancient India and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and modern India. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories and they are further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation. Outside of this Hindu caste system are the Dalits or the untouchables. Although India’s constitution prohibits discrimination by caste and the practice of untouchability, inter-caste marriages are still very rare. Also, about 80% of the population in India practices Hinduism and 14% believes in Islam. Again, inter-religion marriage is even rarer even among urban residents who tend to be liberal than rural residents. Even though young people in India say they are open to inter-caste marriages, their preferences still remain within the same caste and religion. One reason is that most marriages are still made by parents’ arrangement. If parents are to choose a partner for their son or daughter, they are likely to try to find someone from their own community and acquaintances, the same caste and religion. Also, inter-religious marriage could pose safety concerns, especially to the bride in India. As you know, there are similar social barriers in other countries and cultures when it comes to marrying someone, such as race, class, and wealth. India’s caste system and religious barriers seem more influential than outsiders could think of.
Enjoy reading the article and learn about the gap in love and marriage in India.
No comments:
Post a Comment