Intermarriage conflicts

Intermarriage has been one of the hot topics in the community with Parsiana tracking numbers monthly, annually. It has also been a topic creating division and conflict between the so-called orthodox and reformists whom I choose to refer to as conservatives and liberals.

Both sides have been arguing vehemently that they are right without understanding the root cause of this change and trying to address it by restricting admission on one side or espousing conversion on the other.

Let us understand why intermarriages occur in the first place. Most such marriages are the result of friendships formed on the campus or in the workplace while others occur due to sexual advances or lifestyles. This happens in 30 percent of the population in India and at least 30 percent or more of the first generation diaspora in the US. Unethical heretical Parsi priests and radicals think the solution is to promote conversion and manipulate these individuals to fight against those who restrict admission and charge high fees for religious services underground or above board.

Parents of intermarried couples are concerned about the stability of the families and tend to be protective and sometimes seek professional help based on societal pressures. They are concerned about the welfare of their children, grandchildren. Parents of same religion marriages are concerned about the purity of their religion and stability of their marriages and prefer same religion partners.

Rather than talk against each other, I find it better to talk with one another. What I see in the community and in Parsiana is talk against one another. Any clinical psychologist will tell you that Asian, Indian families do not communicate well with one another. Campus life, workplaces and sex have never been mentioned in any community publication or by the elders as the cause of intermarriage. Better communication is needed from all concerned.

PORUS N. DADABHOY

Downers Grove, Illinois, USA

Parsiana Book Club

It’s great to have the Parsiana Book Club to order from. But I would like to suggest that you create links to your book reviews from the titles of the books. This will give the reader a better understanding of what an individual book contains.

KAYNAAZ N. DHOLOO

kaynaazd@yahoo.com

The editors reply

It’s a good and welcome suggestion but implementation may be difficult as not all reviews are uploaded on to our website. We will, however examine the possibilities.