Every Sunday morningmillions of Indians settle down with a cup of tea and special weekend issues of
theirnewspapers,just as Americans do.But here,with the marriage seasonapproaching,many of them quick-
ly to a Sundayfeature that is particularly Indian-the-columns of marriage advertisements inwhich young peo-
pie look forhusbands and wives.This is relatively modern change in the age-old custom ofthe arranged
marriage.Thethousands of advertisements published each week increasingly reflect socialchanges that
coming to thistraditional society.For example,although women are still described in terms ofappearance,or
skill in"thewifely arts,"information about her earning power is entering more and moreof the advertise-ments.This reflects the arrival in
Divorce,%%Thichuse(1 to be almost unheard of iii
as in the case of awoman whose advertisemeiit in
cent party"whenher marriage broke up.
Because the customof the dowry(marriage payment)is now illegal,some advertisements say"nodow-
ry",or"simplemarriage",which means the same thing. However,the fathers of manybridegrooms still re-
quire it.
In a land wherelight skin is often regarded as socially preferable,many also require that awoman have
a"wheat-color"complexionor that a man be"tall,fair and handsome".
Advertisements areplaced and eagerly read by a wide range of people in the upper classes,mostlyin
cities.Many of themreceive dozens of answers."There'S nothing embarrassing aboutit,"explained a
cutta businessmanadvertising a son-in-law."It's just another way of broadening the contactsand increase
the possibility ofdoing the contacts and increasing the possibilities of doing the best one forone's daughter."
Because of highunemployment and a generally poor standard of living here,one of the bestattractions a
marriageadvertisement can offer is a permit to live abroad,especially in
son who has one canget what he wants.
One recent Sunday in
"beautiful slimbride with lovely features knowing music and dance."And a man whoseadvertisement said
that he held anAmerican immigration permit was able to say,only girls from rich,well-connectedfamilies
need apply.
A.Right
B.Wrong
C.Not mentioned
[单选题]MarriageAdvertisements in IndiaEvery Sunday morningmillions of Indians sett
[单选题]MarriageAdvertisements in IndiaEvery Sunday morningmillions of Indians sett
[单选题]MarriageAdvertisements in IndiaEvery Sunday morningmillions of Indians sett
[单选题]MarriageAdvertisements in IndiaEvery Sunday morningmillions of Indians sett
[单选题]MarriageAdvertisements in IndiaEvery Sunday morningmillions of Indians sett
[单选题]MarriageAdvertisements in IndiaEvery Sunday morningmillions of Indians sett
[单选题]Highways in the USThe United Statesis well-known for its network of major h
[单选题]Highways in the USThe United Statesis well-known for its network of major h
[单选题]Highways in the USThe United Statesis well-known for its network of major h
[单选题]Highways in the USThe United Statesis well-known for its network of major h