What comes to your mind when you hear the words arranged marriage? I'm sure a happy, respectful, loving relationship is not what came to mind. Arranging marriages is a complex subject and the concept is seen as a human rights issue in which individuals lose the right to freedom of choice. In saying that, my initial opinion on an arranged marriage was not held in high regard. However, after being introduced to someone who is in an arranged marriage; and conduct my own research; my perspective has changed. I therefore very much regret my naivety regarding the concept. This type of marriage, called a culturally specific decision (Seth, 2008), has been confused with a forced marriage. In summary, researchers have confirmed that individuals in Western society have a misinformed idea of ​​what an arranged marriage actually is. My initial concept of an arranged marriage was negative because I assumed that individuals were deprived of human rights, as a result, losing the right to choose. It was difficult for me to imagine that individuals, usually young girls, would be forced to marry a complete stranger, usually an older man; the idea seemed absurd. This sort of thing still happens, but it's not the essence of arranged marriage; it is an involuntary marriage (Seth, 2009). For me, marriage means the communion of two people who love each other deeply and want to bind this love together in a ceremony of commitment for a long life. In a Western society, the tradition of having a wedding is frowned upon and is considered an outdated and old concept (Trapp, 2009). However, in saying this, more and more people are adhering to this idea in the 21st century (Seth, 2009); for example shows like Farmer Wants a Wife and The ...... middle of paper ...... maternal care. New York: Transaction Publications. Hales, D. (2007). An invitation to health. (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Haviland, W., Walrath, D., Prins, H. and McBride, B. (2007). Cultural anthropology: the human challenge. (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Hoodfar, H. (1997). Between marriage and the market: intimate politics and survival in Cairo. London: University of California Press. Onedera, J. (2008). The role of religion in marriage and family counseling. New York: Taylor and Francis Group. Seth, R. (2008). First Comes Marriage: Modern Relationship Advice From the Wisdom of Arranged Marriages. New York: Simon and Schuster. Shepard, J. (2010). Sociology. (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Trapp, R. (2009). The debatebase book: an essential guide for a successful debate. (4th.). New York: Idebate Press.