Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Arranged marriages ‘more likely to last’, says study

Experts have backed the findings of a landmark study which found that arranged marriages are more likely to last than getting hitched for love.

They have welcomed recent research which found that 45 per cent of mothers from a Pakistani or Bangladeshi background described themselves as “very happy” in their relationship, compared with 34 per cent of white mothers.


The women, who identified themselves as Christian and Muslim, said they were very happy with their partners, 45 per cent and 43 per cent, respectively, compared with 32 per cent of non-religious mums.

The survey was carried out by Harry Benson from the Marriage Foundation think-tank, and Professor Steve McKay of the University of Lincoln.

Kulbir Randhawa, director of the Asian Family Counselling Service, believes arranged marriages have a “better than average” chance of succeeding if done with “care”.

She told Eastern Eye: “As long as the couple have been given the choice to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ after meeting a few times, there is a higher probability of the marriage being successful.

“The couple know right from the beginning that there will be a lot of adjustments and compromises they will have to make. They do not necessarily go into a marriage with high expectations, and there is therefore a lower chance of disappointment.

“Couples in arranged marriages may not be in love to begin with, but start to love each other over time, rather than falling in love first and being disillusioned afterwards.”

The research is believed to be the first in the UK to explore the links between religion and relationship stability. It used data from the Millennium Cohort study which contains details of the lives of 15,000 mothers.

Dr Fauzia Ahmad is an honorary research fellow for Centre for Minority Studies, at Royal Holloway University in London.

She told Eastern Eye: “I welcome the report linking religion, marriage stability and ethnicity and the efforts made in the report to challenge stereotypes about Asian and Muslim arranged marriages, and Muslim women in particular.

“However, the research was statistical and so lacked a qualitative element, which I think would have yielded much more in terms of underlying factors behind the success of arranged marriages and personal experiences and choices.

“It is a bit odd that higher rates of higher education among Muslim Asian women has not been acknowledged, or that ‘arranged marriages’ have different meanings in the current contemporary context.

“Among professional second and third-generation British-Asian Muslims, there is a greater tendency for a more individualised route into marriage, evidenced by the high numbers of online and event-based matrimonial events across the country.”

An Oxford University study in 2014 found up to 10 per cent of Pakistani and Indian men had been divorced, compared to 20 per cent of white males and 27 per cent for black Caribbean adults. Among all ethnic groups, the number of couples splitting up has doubled since the mid-1990s.

Parag Bhargava, who runs the Suman Marriage Bureau in west London, believes the family structure is key to making an arranged marriage work.

He said: “Arranged marriages, or ‘assisted’ arranged marriages, as my father named them many years ago, have one very major benefit – strong foundations to the union.

“These foundations are based upon having compatible family backgrounds, status and education, all of which provide greater stability and understanding of each other and between the families.

“It is sad people are ‘window shopping’ for partners these days rather than really making the effort to meet people face to face, hence taking much longer to meet someone. Those who use services like ours, providing a personal assisted arranged marriage system, tend to find partners sooner than later.”

Sir Paul Coleridge, founder of the Marriage Foundation thinktank, said the study showed arranged marriages removes the pressure to find the “perfect” partner before settling down.

However, Jo Sidhu, the president of the Society of Asian Lawyers from 2013 to 2016, believes that having an arranged union is not the main factor for the couple’s happiness.

He said: “The problem of family breakdown is creating severe pressures within our local communities. Over recent decades, there has been a huge rise in the number of single parent families either because parents choose not to get married and live apart or because of divorce.

“In my experience, the key factor behind successful marriages in the Asian community is the support structure built into our extended family systems.

“These transcend religion and are crucial to both working women and to stay-at-home mums.

“When women are supported they are happy. When they are isolated and treated badly, they will inevitably feel unhappy, regardless of whether they had an arranged marriage or are from a particular faith.”

More For You

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less