Marriage.......

The marriage arrangements of British Mirpuris are changing drastically and quite rapidly. Young people - boys and girls- are demanding a greater say in the choice of partner. In many cases, parents merely rubber stamp the decision taken by their son or daughter. This is, in general, a positive development. It is only right that those who will have to spend their lives together should be able to choose who they will do so with.

Another way in which marriage is changing among Mirpuris is that young people are increasingly less likely to stick around in loveless marriages, as witnessed by rising rates of divorce and marital disharmony. In a sense, Mirpuris are becoming mainstream, where rates of divorce are already high (though they have fallen recently).

Is it a positive development that many Mirpuri youngsters, unlike their parents and definitely grandparents, are no longer willing to stick around in loveless marriages? That is a difficult question; in general if children are involved, my view is that people should make an extra effort to stick. In other cases it is more difficult. Whatever the answer, utmost care and attention is required in selecting marriage partners.