Unchained At Last | The difference between an #arrangedmarriage and a #forcedmarriage is supposed to

The difference between an #arrangedmarriage and a #forcedmarriage is supposed to be the difference between consent and coercion. However, there’s a fine line between consent and coercion.

Even when a marriage is labeled “arranged” and the bride and groom get the option to say no, they might face intense pressure from their families and society not to do so, or they might be too young and inexperienced to make such a life-altering decision. They might be rushed to give an answer, before they can fully think through their options. They might be bribed or tricked. They might be grappling with implicit and/or explicit threats about the harms that will befall them and their families if they do not agree to a marriage. They might be subjected to actual violence: locked up, beaten or shunned until they say yes. ????: Jen Kiaba