Romeo & Juliet Research Project Marriage Rituals By: Colten Murphy & Rachele Sevcik

Theme Our theme is: Marriage rituals are culturally diverse and unique to each country. Our theme is presented through how Juliet’s Father is going to force her into marrying Paris (arranged marriage). Our theme basically has to do with the effect of marriage rituals on modern day American and foreign teens.

Romeo and Juliet Capulet says, “I tell thee what- get thee ho church a’ Thursday/or never after look me in the face.”(Shakespeare ) Capulet is saying to Juliet, if you do not marry Paris Thursday never speech to me again. Capulet would kick Juliet out on the street and never look at her again. This is linking to arranged marriages, because it shows how Juliet does not have a say in who she can love and marry.

Romeo and Juliet cont. Lady Capulet says, “Well, think of marriage now. Younger than you,/here in Verona, ladies of esteem,/are made already mothers. By my count,/I was your mother much upon these years,/that you are now a maid. Thus then in brief:/the valiant Paris seeks you for his love.” (Shakespeare ). Lady Capulet is telling Juliet, who is only 13, she should be thinking of marriage and that Paris wants to marry her. Also how she was pregnant around her age. It shows how young girls were forced into marriage at a young age.

Romeo and Juliet cont. Nurse says, “Your first is dead- or ‘twere as good he were/as living here and you no use of him.” (Shakespeare ). Nurse is telling Juliet she should marry Paris, because Romeo is banished and Paris is here. Romeo cannot take care of her and is no use to Juliet. It shows how influential people (adults) can be in others’ lives (Nurse telling Juliet to marry Paris; Capulet forcing her to marry him).

Research Question Our research question was: “What are the long life effects, both emotional and physical, on modern teenagers that are forced into marriage?” There are marriage rituals all over the world, and each of them effect teens’ lives differently. Both our question and topic focus on the effects of marriage rituals (arranged marriage) on modern teenagers.

American Muslim rituals Modern Muslims equate dating to "hellfire“ Muslim parents are bent on creating a way for their kids to find partners, without ever having to date. Muslim mothers have created an organization called "Mothers Against Dating" modeled after "Mothers Against Drunk Driving". Hundreds of people go to marriage banquets with their parents so they can find a husband or wife. They have dinner, and an hour of social time, where they exchange s, phone numbers, etc.

Ethiopia Young girls are being forced into marriage and can end up as prostitutes or sex-slaves. This especially is a growing problem in Ethiopia. Adults in Ethiopia believe that younger is better. They think that people should not judge them for their traditions that have been standing for as far back as they can remember. The birth rate is incredibly high in Ethiopia

Arranged Marriages Lead to Suicide Now that young woman in Iraq, are exposed to real love on the internet and on TV. They realize their life does not have to be like the way it has always been. They realize they can have a say, that they do not have to follow in there parents foot steps. A soap opera has been the one to blame for exposing romance to many teenagers. In Iraq that is what they do, they marry in the family.

Research vs. Romeo & Juliet Jenan Merza, said "I tried to kill myself, I didn't want to get married. I was forced to get engaged.“ She is 16 years old and lives in Sinjar, Iraq. She is forced to get married to someone she does not love. She tried to kill herself with her brothers gun, so she would not have to go through with getting married. This relates to Romeo and Juliet, because when Juliet could not be with the one she loved she killed herself.

Research vs. Romeo & Juliet "There are, according to child-rights activists, an estimated 50 million Tihuns scattered across the world; young teen or even preteen girls whose innocence is being sacrificed to arranged marriages, often with older men.“ This quote relates to Romeo & Juliet because it shows how some cultures find it ethical to marry young girls to older men. For example Juliet (age 13), to Paris (age 20).

Research vs. Romeo & Juliet "Scores of parents showed up at the marriage banquet to chaperone their children. Many had gone through arranged marriages--meeting the bride or groom chosen by their parents sometimes as late as their wedding day and hoping for the best. They recognize that the tradition is untenable in the United States, but still want to influence the process.“ This quote relates to R&J by showing how parents influence their kids and force their hands in marriage.

American Teenagers Today American teens are effected by all of these problems. For example; the Muslim teens that aren’t allowed to date and must have their husband/wife chosen for them. Also, American teens are mostly unaware of the ethical issues going on abroad. So there is not much effect on them from foreign affairs.

Conclusion Marriage rituals both foreign and common, have life long affects of modern day teenagers, including but not limited to; suicide, teen pregnancy, divorce, complications within families, and prostitution.