The Price I Paid For Rejecting An Arranged Marriage
HuffPost • • business
Key Points:
- At 19, Sona Jepsen fled an arranged marriage in Mumbai under the pretense of studying in the U.S., rejecting the life scripted by her family despite their expectations and societal pressures.
- Her fiancé, from a wealthy Sikh family, embodied a double standard: while he was free to explore relationships, she was expected to maintain her virginity and reputation, leading to her disillusionment and refusal to marry him.
- After declining his proposal, Jepsen faced family estrangement, financial hardship, and loneliness in the U.S., navigating a difficult path to independence and eventual legal residency through employment sponsorship.
- She found love and built a new life with an American partner, but reconciliation with her family was slow
