Friendship Marriages: What Is It, The Next Big Relationship Trend? Experts Weigh In

This type of marriage, built on mutual understanding, shared interests, and emotional bonds, is gaining popularity among both heterosexual and queer couples. But what makes this approach to marriage so appealing, especially in today’s world? Psychotherapist and relationship expert Priyanka Kapoor, Couple and Family Counsellor from Mumbai shares her insights on the rise of friendship marriages and what makes them different from traditional love or arranged marriages.

What is a Friendship Marriage?

A Friendship Marriage is exactly as it sounds—two people enter a marriage because of their strong friendship. For many, it’s not about romantic attraction, but instead about deep emotional connection, shared values, and compatibility. In these marriages, couples often already have a strong bond built on mutual respect and understanding, which sets the foundation for a lasting partnership.

Priyanka Kapoor explains, "Friendship marriages are often seen in both heterosexual and queer populations. In some cases, these marriages are built due to societal pressures, as queer couples may not be able to marry openly. In heterosexual marriages, people often marry their best friends because they already share an emotional connection."

In essence, friendship marriages are not based on physical attraction or external factors like caste or family background. Instead, the focus is on finding comfort, understanding, and emotional connection.

Benefits of Friendship Marriages

Friendship marriages tend to have a higher success rate, according to Kapoor. "These marriages are more sustainable because they are built on good compatibility and mutual understanding. Many couples live together before marriage, which helps them understand each other better and minimises conflicts later on," she adds.

Couples in friendship marriages often enjoy a smoother transition into married life, as they’ve already built a solid foundation of trust and emotional support. The mutual understanding between partners means that relationship conflicts are less frequent and easier to resolve.

Emotional Intimacy: The Key to a Strong Friendship Marriage

Unlike traditional marriages, which often prioritise romantic passion, friendship marriages emphasise emotional intimacy. Kapoor explains, "In friendship marriages, couples may not focus on romantic attraction, but they maintain a strong emotional bond through mutual understanding, communication, and spending quality time together."

For couples in friendship marriages, maintaining intimacy involves clear communication about life goals, shared interests, and even household responsibilities. This foundation of friendship allows couples to support one another emotionally and mentally, which strengthens their relationship.

Challenges and Stigmas Around Friendship Marriages

Despite the benefits, friendship marriages do face certain challenges. In the case of queer couples, societal acceptance remains a major obstacle, with many people feeling the need to hide their relationships. "For queer couples, the challenge lies in balancing romantic relationships while also keeping the marriage intact, often facing societal judgement," Kapoor notes.

For heterosexual couples, one common challenge is family acceptance, especially when inter-caste marriages or unconventional choices are involved. "Many people choose to marry against family expectations, leading to tensions and conflicts," Kapoor explains.

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Why Friendship Marriages Are Gaining Popularity Among Young Indians

In India, the rise of friendship marriages among youth can be attributed to changing perceptions of relationships. "The younger generation is becoming more practical. With so many failed relationships and broken marriages, they’re learning to value emotional compatibility over romantic passion," says Kapoor. Many young Indians prefer to marry someone they already know well, avoiding the uncertainties and challenges of traditional arranged or love marriages.

The Future of Friendship Marriages

As societal views continue to evolve, the trend of friendship marriages is expected to grow. For the younger generation, emotional intimacy, communication, and understanding are becoming more important than romantic love. In many cases, friendship marriages are becoming a safe and practical choice for long-term happiness.

Friendship marriages are not only a viable option for people seeking meaningful partnerships but also a progressive step toward challenging traditional marriage norms. As more people embrace this modern approach to relationships, we may see a shift in the way marriages are perceived in the years to come.

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