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Differences in Voluntary and Non-VoluntaryDifferences in Voluntary and Non-Voluntary

RelationshipsRelationships

Voluntary Relationships Non-Voluntary Relationships

Voluntary relationships tend to occur

more in individualist societies

(Western Cultures).

Individualist societies place

emphasis on the individuals

freedom, achievements and

rights. Therefore relationships are

formed for individual happiness

and are mostly voluntary, where a

person chooses their own partner.

In voluntary relationships,

marriage is seen as a step away

from dependence on families as

the couple take steps to begin

their own family.

Voluntary relationships are seen

as being worthless without

romantic love.

Voluntary relationships tend to

have a higher divorce rate than

non voluntary relationships.

Goodwin (1999) found that the US

divorce rate is 40-50%.

Non voluntary relationships occur in

collectivist societies (Eastern

Cultures).

Collectivist societies see the

individuals as part of an

interdependent social group.

Obligation to others for the good of

the group are extremely important,

thus marriages are arranged to ensure

benefits for the group, not only theindividuals involved.

In non voluntary relationships,

extended families are more likely to

live together, providing more support

for each other.

Arranged marriages revolve around

the idea of stability rather than

romantic love.

Non voluntary relationships tend to

have a lower divorce rate than

voluntary relationships. Goodwin

(1999) found that divorce rate in

Saudi Arabia is as low as 2%.

Levine et al found that people in

collectivist cultures were more likely

to marry without love but with theright qualities.

However, non voluntary does not always mean love less.

De Munck (1966) found that in Sri Lanka, romantic love was

still considered in arranged marriages.

Ghuman (1994) also pointed out that people belonging to

collectivist cultures do not always have non voluntary

relationships. When studying married Hindus living in

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Britain, he found that only 9% had arranged marriages.

However, the divorcerate

in Eastern countries is

increasing with the