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Internet Exercises
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1

Internet Matrimonials is a popular website for South Asian and Muslim ethnics seeking a partner for "planned marriage"—a contemporary variation on arranged marriage. There they can browse descriptions of other marriage-oriented men and women, or post their own description, in the same way that one might use an Internet dating website. Go to this site and click on "Indian Matrimonial Link." Link to "Planned Marriage" and read the short article there.
  1. What are the key differences between arranged marriages and planned marriages?
  2. Having read this article, do you now realize that your preconceived definition of an arranged marriage is actually a planned marriage?
  3. Are your feelings about planned marriages very different from your feelings about arranged marriages? Are you someone who would never agree to an arranged marriage, but who might consider a planned marriage?
Click on your browser's back button, and link to "View Ads." Peruse some of the ads by clicking "Ads of Men" and "Ads of Women."
  1. Based on the criteria through which you are asked to narrow your choice of ads, what initial kinds of personal information do seekers of planned marriages seem to be interested in? Is it the same basic information that you might seek through an Internet dating website?
  2. What sort of additional information do marriage candidates present in their self- descriptions? Is it similar to what you might say about yourself in a personal ad?
  3. Do you notice any differences in the presentation of material between male and female ads?
2

Beliefnet provides a wide variety of information about Islam as well as other religious traditions. Visit this site and select "Islam" under "Explore Beliefnet" in the upper left corner. Next, link to "Family" under "Topics," and you will find a number of articles on Muslim-American marriage and dating norms. Read the article titled "Men Are from Safa, Women are from Marwa."
  1. What are the differences and similarities in how a Muslim American might find a marriage partner, compared to a non-Muslim American? Is the wisdom imparted in this article similar to what a non-Muslim American might get from a friend or advice column?
  2. Does the author of the article assume that most Muslim Americans will enter an arranged marriage?
  3. What is the appropriate role of one's family in finding a mate, according to the author? Is it the same role that the family of a non-Muslim might play?
Click on your browser's back button, and read the article titled "The Secrets to Lasting, Happy Islamic Marriages."
  1. Do Muslim American couples face the same kinds of marital problems as non-Muslim Americans?
  2. Based on what you've read, how founded are Karen's stereotypes of Muslim marriages?





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