He told me that he and the elders had already chosen one of my cousins to become my wife, and all I had to do was obey them. He added that their criteria for choosing a wife were based on principles that are as old as the earth. The first criterion is the girl's family background, the second her education and behavior. For the elders, beauty did not count much, nor did love. But I think that marriage is a very serious undertaking, which should not be left in the hands of old people, as it involves two people who are going to live together for ever, In this case, their opinions and judgments should be taken into consideration.
Marriage is related to real feelings of love, understanding, and respect for the beloved.
It should not be an act of selfishness but an act of mutual interests. It is a voluntary and conscious step into a new world. So I rejected the choice made by my parents by pointing out all the above elements which in my mind are essential to marriage. I told my father that I would marry the girl I chose and whom I loved. Then my parents called a family meeting to discuss the matter.