Arranged marraiges seems to me to be completely crazy since there are so many aspects to a relationship. However, in those cultures I would assume the pressures of the parents, the community and society make couples stay together. I would think a lot of unhappy people though. The article pointed out that women in China are becoming more empowered than in the past. I have read Japanese women are forsaking marraige since it was, in the past at least, very male dominated in the household and thus there are falling birth rates. Is our western way better though? High divorce rates, spousal abuse, and many folks gettting married for all the wrong reasons too, just like in China.