Factors Considered in Matchmaking
In India, some of the factors to be considered in some order of priority may be taken into account for the purpose of matchmaking:
- Religion: The religious and spiritual beliefs can play a large role in finding a suitable spouse
- Caste and culture: Usually, first preference is given to the same caste. The ancestry of the individual and the family's culture and traditions also play an important part. Usually, prospective spouses are looked for from families belonging to the same region and having the same language and food habits.
- Reputation of the family and friends with power over that child.
- Wealth: Families holding substantial assets may prefer to marry to another wealthy family.
- Vocation: For a groom, the profession of doctor, accountant, lawyer or engineer are traditionally valued as excellent spouse material. More recently, any profession commanding relatively high income is also given preference. Vocation is less important for a bride but it is not uncommon for two people of the same vocation to be matched. Some preferred vocations for a bride include the profession of teacher, doctor, or lawyer.
- Physical fitness and Psychological health of the individual is taken into account in some cases.
- Horoscope: Numerology and the positions of stars at birth is often used in Indian culture to predict the success of a particular match. Horoscope becomes a determining factor if one of the partners is Mângalik (lit., negatively influenced by Mars).
Read more about this topic: Arranged Marriage
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