Matrimonial websites or marriage websites or matrimonial apps or marriage apps are websites that allow users to meet individuals to establish a relationship that leads to marriage.[1][2] Matrimonial websites contrast with dating websites in that matrimonial websites have marriage as the goal of the meeting of two persons, rather than short-term or casual relationships.[3]

Usage

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Matrimonial sites register users, after which they are able to upload their profiles onto a searchable database maintained by the website. Those users looking to find suitors search the database with customized searches that typically include nationality, age, gender, religion, and geographic location, as well as the availability of photographs.[4]

In addition to being popular in Eastern Europe (particularly Russia and Ukraine), matrimonial sites are popular in South Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) and among South Asians settled overseas.[5][6][7] According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India, the online matrimony business is expected to be a $250 Million business by 2017.[8] According to The New York Times, there are over 1500 matrimonial websites in India.[9] Matrimonial websites have been used often by men in the West for the purposes of marriage tourism, and by people in Eastern Europe and South Asia for the purpose of finding a spouse overseas.[7]

Criticism

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There have been reports of abuse of information obtained from matrimonial websites.[10][11][12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Das, Sreashi. "Shifts in Perceived Control in Indian Matrimonial Websites" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the NCA 94th Annual Convention, TBA, San Diego, CA
  2. ^ Datta, Damayanti. Netrimony: The new mating game. India Today. 13 Mar 2008.
  3. ^ Madhukar, Jayanthi (24 November 2023). "Why has Gen Z turned to matrimonial apps to find meaningful dates?". Mint. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  4. ^ Kalyanam, Chandran (2004). Seeking an Alliance. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-595-31384-6. All cover the basic fields such as age, religion, and area of residence.
  5. ^ Karis, Terri A.; Killian, Kyle D. (14 February 2011). Intercultural Couples: Exploring Diversity in Intimate Relationships. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-91542-0.
  6. ^ Charsley, Katharine (2013). Transnational Pakistani Connections: Marrying 'Back Home'. Routledge.
  7. ^ a b Zug, Marcia A. (7 June 2016). Buying a Bride: An Engaging History of Mail-Order Matches. NYU Press. p. 222. ISBN 978-0-8147-7181-5.
  8. ^ CNBC.com, Gauri Bhatia special to (December 17, 2014). "Saying 'I do' goes high-tech in India". CNBC.
  9. ^ Sinha, Shreeya (May 9, 2015). "Reader Tips on Finding a Partner Using Indian Marriage Sites". The New York Times.
  10. ^ [1] Blasts accused used fake documents to get SIM cards
  11. ^ "How IM used would-be grooms - Express India". Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2008-11-19. How IM used would-be grooms
  12. ^ Man forges divorce papers, marries 6 girls in 2 yrs http://ibnlive.in.com/news/man-forges-divorce-papers-marries-6-girls-in-2-yrs/100115-3.html Archived 2009-08-31 at the Wayback Machine

Further reading

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