[Smogger]

I believe their marriages are all arranged. There would never be any dating if that is what you mean.

[The Other Harry]

I believe their marriages are all arranged. There would never be any dating if that is what you mean.

Makes sense.

Do you think unmarried adult males taking young males as sexual partners is as common as is sometimes reported?

[D2BAH]

Naw, they go by the smell. The more they smell like a goat, the more desirable. And they get extra points for the length of hair hanging from their armpits. The more it resembles Chore Girl pot scrubbers, the the higher Omar's tent goes.

[Chemnitz]

Christians from Kerala, India told us that they were in love with each other as teens. However, they could not allow anyone to know it or they would have never been married. They are happily married, have two daughters (one an engineer, one a doctor). I noticed in their native newspaper ads are placed for brides and grooms. Given the rotten state of marriage in America, something must be said for an arranged marriage. I am not promoting it, but there is an unlying assumption of responsibility. Americans marry for love but often divorce before the wedding photos are back from the photographer.

[ODDITHER]

When the children are babies, if the Afghans are not part of royalty, the parents often make arrangements. However, the groom or family of the groom must buy the bride. Since girls do not have a potential for economic gain, such as working with their fathers, the family must realize an economic gain from their intended spouses.

Depending on the wealth of the family and/or groom, a bride might cost as much as 1 camel, 1 or 2 sheep, a baby water buffalo, or a donkey. The really wealthy will give gold, or land for their brides. This is called Baqshes.

Many times if the groom and his family is poor, he might be 30 before he can afford to buy a bride. In the meantime, you see the Afghan men walking down the street holding hands or themselves which ever is closest.

On the wedding night, a family member from both familes sits outside the door and keeps guard. They are there to make sure that the bride is a virgin and that the marriage is consumated. If the groom decides that the bride was not pure, he returns the bride and they must return the presents. She lives in shame the rest of her life in her parents home if they will have her.