Absolutely true. Whether arranged or by love, marriage requires both participants to be willing to work at it. I sure didn't do very well choosing partners, but I understand why - all those toxic childhood beliefs about not deserving anything good etc.

But I think even in an arranged marriage, we carry emotional baggage into it - e.g. your husband being spoiled etc. No wonder you didn't even like him, and then there were all those issues with his mother!! Yikes...

I can certainly see many benefits to an arranged marriage. But at the end of the day, however two people end up together, it's what they put into it that will determine the success of the relationship. Yes, love marriages have a high rate of divorce. But I wonder - is divorce as taboo in India to the same extent as (or worse than) love marriages? Because if that's the case, there might be an awful lot of incredibly miserable people who stay with someone they were forced to be with in the first place and don't dare leave.

Definitely an interesting topic. I am neither for nor against arranged marriages! I see pros and cons for both choices. Great article, thank you! 💜