Friday, January 30, 2009

Perception towards Marriages

Wow, do you still remember how our grandparents use to go on and on about their strenuous lifestyles and warped love lives? Regarding the latter, try recalling how we were told about their arranged marriages? Aren't you glad that it no longer is a culture which we practice here in singapore anymore?

There are some countries who still go about with such a tradition. The perception towards arranged marriages have been altered greatly with the influence of the modern western culture as time passes. No longer do we hear about how pitiful it is to be forced into a marriage as we now bask in the freedom of choice.

CBS however have taken a whole new perspective towards arranged marriages. They have decided to take a step into time and create a reality TV show which shows couples getting married to someone chosen by their loved ones or friends. Click HERE to read more.

I personally think that it is really just a harmless but entertaining and money making way to attract viewers. To the western viewers, this is only but harmless entertainment. They have categorized marriage differently as compared to their Asian counterparts. I wonder how people who practice such customs would react upon knowing such a reality TV show is going to be aired. I mean, these people are doing it because it has been done for centuries in their family line. Here comes these group of people that take such a custom and replace it with what they perceive. Seriously, interpreting whatever that is shown would hardly be close to how it would be like as compared to the real thing, i think. Perception is a very strong mindset thus, we need to know where to draw the line when it comes to portraying images.

But oh well, if its all in the name of money making harmless entertainment, I'll probably give this show a chance to see how close their way of production would be like to the actual stuff.

4 comments:

  1. This reminds me of temptation island. I guess, the americans really know how to up their viewership numbers. But ya, i get what you mean when you commented about how this is other culture's traditions that they are 'making fun' of....

    thin thread i would say.

    -germaine

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  2. oh come on, its just a show! there's many other shows which have penetrated into asia and it's still fine so far!

    traditional marriages are really rare now. so much so that, in those countries that still practise such rituals, probably may not even have the broadcast channel to view the show!

    -hsin

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  3. what i'm trying to put across is that having such shows are fine, but the censorship board should be vigilant to note if anybody is criticising such ways of marriages during broadcast. this is to ensure that cultures who practise such customs would not be offended.

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  4. it may not just apply to those countries that are still in their developing stages, hsin. some of these countries that still believe in arranged marriages may actually be rather developed, it's just that they have strong cultural values! thus, pursuing their core values is what they feel is right.

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