Are marriages arranged in the Sikh tradition?
Arranged marriage has been a tradition but Sikhs do not object to non-arranged marriages. In case of arranged marriage, the parents look for a partner for their son or daughter. The arranged marriage is performed with the approval of both bride and the groom. There’s no restriction as far as Sikhism is concerned, as to whether one must choose arranged marriage or not. Sikhs can choose their own partners. Mostly it is considered best, when the life partner is chosen with the consent of the parents. Most importantly, Sikhs are to choose a partner with similar belief system, preferably Sikhs. Marriage with a Sikh is preferred because God, spirituality and religion are major part of one’s life. If there are similarities in the belief system, the marriage has a higher rate of success. People from other cultures do not always properly interpret the word ‘arranged’. An arranged marriage does not mean forcing a boy or a girl into wedlock of parents’ choice. It is agreeing to marriage proposed
