Gen Z’s Modern Twist on Arranged Marriages: Dating Freely, Marrying Traditionally

Okay, so picture this: You're at brunch with your friends, dissecting the emotional minefield that is modern dating, when someone drops the bombshell—they're considering an arranged marriage. Cue the sound of forks clinking onto plates and someone whispering, "Wait, is this The Regency Era?" But hold up, before you cancel them as a Bridgerton extra, let's talk. Because, believe it or not, Gen Z—yes, the same generation that invented TikTok dances and unapologetically calls out Boomers—is embracing arranged marriages. And I’m here to break it down for you.


Here’s the thing about modern dating apps: They’re a buffet of options, but the food’s always cold. You’ve got the ghosters, the "What are we?" crowd, and, of course, the unhinged voice-note senders. After years of swiping through the good, the bad, and the "Oh no, never again," Gen Z seems to be having a collective epiphany: Maybe the whole "finding love on your own" thing is overrated. Turns out, hookup culture was like a party that started fun but ended with you crying in an Uber at 2 AM. Arranged marriages, on the other hand? They’re like a dinner party with a curated guest list. Sure, your parents are the hosts, but hey, they probably won’t invite anyone who sends unsolicited gym selfies. Probably.


The classic argument: "But isn’t an arranged marriage basically your mom playing matchmaker on steroids?" Kind of, but also, no. Today’s arranged marriages aren’t about blind obedience. It’s more like your parents sliding into your DMs with a "Hey, check out this person we think you’d vibe with." They set the stage, but you’re still the lead actor—cue the dramatic close-up. Plus, let’s be real: Even in non-arranged setups, aren’t we all just outsourcing the hard part? Whether it’s asking your best friend to "casually" drop hints or letting an algorithm decide your soulmate, nobody’s really going it alone. Arranged marriages are just the OG dating app—minus the blue light damage.


Here’s a little secret about life: Having too many choices is exhausting. (Looking at you, Netflix.) And nowhere is this more painfully true than dating. How many times have you thought, "What if there’s someone better out there?" Spoiler alert: There isn’t. Or if there is, they’re probably married to someone who settled already. Arranged marriages, however, simplify the chaos. You get a few well-vetted options—like a tasting menu at a fancy restaurant—and voila, decision fatigue = solved. It’s like Marie Kondo for your love life: Does this person spark joy? If yes, proceed. If no, thank them for their time and swipe on to the next biodata.


Here’s the wild thing no one tells you: Love isn’t just some magical Disney moment where birds tie your shoelaces. It’s a skill—one you learn over time, preferably with someone who’s equally committed to figuring it out. And surprise! That’s where arranged marriages shine. Instead of relying on "sparks" (which, let’s face it, are often just anxiety in disguise), you start with compatibility and grow from there. It’s not exactly sexy…until you realize that sparks fade, but shared values and a solid Netflix queue last forever. Arranged marriages are basically the long game. And Gen Z? We love a long game. (Have you seen how many of us invest in NFTs?)


Don’t get me wrong, arranged marriages today aren’t all sunshine and perfectly-planned wedding hashtags. There’s still some chaos—like dealing with overenthusiastic relatives or explaining to your parents why "works in tech" isn’t enough to make you swoon. But it’s cozy chaos. The kind that feels more like a romcom montage and less like a horror film. And let’s be honest, there’s something oddly comforting about having a team (aka your family) in your corner. It’s like having a hype squad that also happens to know your astrological chart by heart. Who needs Cupid when you’ve got Aunt Meera and her Excel spreadsheet of eligible bachelors?