Arranged marriages are actually involved in matchmaking process

Arranged marriages are actually involved in matchmaking process

Matchmaking is a word associated with marriage. The process of finding partners for marriage is matchmaking and the person who does this is called a matchmaker. Matchmakers are common in many cultures across the globe. 


Traditional Matchmaking 

In South Asian countries, there is the concept of arranged marriage. The role of matchmakers in these countries is very important. Actually, matchmaking is an important profession in such country. The Indian Hindu Astrologer or the Ashkenazi Jewish Shadchan, are in true sense matchmakers. Arranged marriages in these communities are common and the astrologers are actually involved in matchmaking process. The matchmakers find suitable partners after referencing stars and positions of planets. The parents also approved of such matches, as they also believe in the planetary positions and influences of these planets. 

The matchmakers collect money from these services. 

In North America, there are different ways in which matchmaking are done. Social dance like square dance and contra dance are informal way used by matchmakers. The farming families arrange the meeting of their children in a church or any social events. Matchmakers will attend such social events and advise families of the growing romances.

The influence of such matchmakers in cultures that did not believed in arranged marriages is limited to speeding up relationships. Cultures where people find their own partners, the matchmaker’s role was determined in establishing the relationship. The clergy formed an important role as mediators in the western countries. In the medieval catholic society, the role of matchmaking was assigned to village priest. 

Modern Matchmaking

With times, the concept of matchmaking changed. Technology and dating services changed the old ways of matchmaking. The Social Development Unit in Singapore, managed by the state government provides professional counseling services. They use the dating system technology for matchmaking process. Every citizen of Singapore has access to matchmaking services. 

Match making and India 

In India, arranged marriages are common among various communities. The concept of arranged marriages is unknown in the West. In India, parents consult the astrologer to find a suitable partner for their son or daughter. The priest after seeing the positions of planets and stars finds a match, which is compatible. The Hindu communities rely heavily on the services of a matchmaker. The matchmakers also find partners within the community as bride or groom from outside the community are not accepted in most cases. The matchmakers take hefty amount of money for their services. 

With technological advances and changing mindset of people, the traditional process of matchmaking is also witnessing transformation. Newspapers have a section, which advertise about people interested in matchmaking. Various Indian websites have a huge database of people interested in getting married. These matchmaking websites offer services like arranging for meetings etc. Information about its customers is kept confidential. In addition, these sites have sections on the numerous castes and communities found in the country.