The horse and carriage is a thing of the past, but love and marriage are still with us and still closely interrelated. Most American marriages, particularly first marriages (21) young couples, are the result of (22) attraction and affection (23) than practical considerations.
In the United States parents do not arrange marriages for their children. Teenagers begin (24) in high school and usually find mates through their own academic and social (25) . Though young people feel (26) to choose their friends from (27) groups, most choose a mate of similar background, This is (28) in part to parental guidance. Parents cannot select spouses for their children, but they can usually (29) choices by (30) disapproval of someone they consider unsuitable. (31) , marriages between members of different groups (interclass, interfaith, and inter racial marriages) are increasing, probably because of the greater (32) of today’s youth and the face that they are restricted by (33) prejudices than their parents. Many young people leave their home towns to attend college, (34) in the armed forces, (35) pursue a career in a bigger city. Once away from home and family, they are more (36) to date and marry outside their own social group. In mobile American society, interclass marriages are neither (37) nor shocking. Interfaith marriages are (38) the rise particularly between Protestants and Catholics. On the other hand, interracial marriage is still very uncommon. It can be difficult for interracial couples to find a place to live, maintain friendships, and (39) a family. Marriage between people of different national (40) (but the same race and religion) have been commonplace here since colonial times.
