This document provides instructions for an extra credit assignment. Students are asked to write a short personal ad that their parents or guardians might write to find a spouse for them. They are also asked to write a 2-3 page paper considering the important traits and characteristics their parents would look for in an ideal spouse, such as age, appearance, ethnicity, religion, education level, and career. The paper explores how these preferences reflect the student's cultural background and family values.

1. Extra Credit: Up to 5 points added to you FINAL GRADE.
Arranging a Marriage in India discusses the many factors involved in finding a suitable marriage
partner for one’s children. The act of arranging a marriage (and what precisely one is looking for
in a partner for one’s children) reveals much of the ideals and values of a particular cultural
group.
Many of us have a good sense of what our family would choose for us if they had their way.
Imagine the people that raised you (be they your parents, grandparents…etc.) are taking out a
personal add in order to find you a spouse. What are they looking for in a wife/husband/partner
for you*? And how does this connect to your particular cultural background?
Which traits do your parents or guardians consider to be important in a spouse? Consider such
things as age, appearance, ethnicity, nationality, race, religion and class (among other things).
Also consider what role your parents or guardians would expect you to fulfill in your relationship
(i.e. who is earning money, who is caring for children, if any…etc.)
Your directions for this paper are to 1) write a short personal add that you could imagine your
parents or guardians writing, such as this one from Arranging a Marriage in India:
A well-settled uncle invites matri-
monial correspondence from slim,
fair, educated South Indian girl,
for his nephew, 25 years, smart,
M.B.A., green card holder, 5’6".
Full particulars with returnable
photo appreciated.
And 2) write a 2-3 page paper (double-spaced) considering all the things that your
parents/guardians would consider to be important in their search for an ideal spouse for you.
Due July 14th: Must be printed.
*Note for gay and lesbian students: depending on your personal relationship with your family, you may
write about either the “ideal” opposite-sex husband/wife your parents would choose for you if you weren’t
gay/lesbian…or who they think would be an ideal same-sex husband/wife/partner.