In the text entitled "Why an arranged marriage 'is more likely to develop into lasting love'", the author, Paul Bentley presents his argument that arranged marriages are actually more likely to be successful marriages than marriages based on love (Bentley). One if his main points is that couples who are in an arranged marriage tend to work harder to keep the marriage from falling apart, to keep it going (Bentley).

Bentley assumes, based on vague references to unknown research and studies, that this is because they have begun to fall in love, but the real reason behind this is that they are forced to remain in the marriage, and are not allowed to even consider divorce by those who forced them into it in the first place. They may develop a decent relationship with each other, but they will not necessarily fall in love. They tolerate each other, and the author confounds love and tolerance in the text. Tolerance is merely being able to stand someone's presence, love is enjoying someone's presence; there is a difference.

However, I can understand the author's side of the argument because arranged marriages sometimes do work if they are based off of real consideration of how well two people work together (Bentley). If the parents/guardians thoroughly think through the potential for two people to be compatible, then there is a possibility that this arranged marriage will end up becoming a marriage based on love, as the author says (Bentley).   

All in all, the author seems to wrongly assumes that arranged marriage is generally more likely to work. However, the author does have a logical argument, because going through tough situations does strengthen a relationship. However, it does not necessarily create love, as he claims, and the majority of people in arranged marriages remain unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

Works Cited

Bentley, Paul. Mail Online. 4 March 2011. 21 October 2015 <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1363176/Why-arranged-marriage-likely-develop-lasting-love.html>.