"Marriage Is A Private Affair" Enormous diversity in nationalities and cultures throughout the world often can create obstacles to developing relationships between those who choose to be narrow-minded and prejudiced about ethnic groups outside their own. Conflicts thatarise between Okeke and his son is an example of how affiliations with a differentculture can disrupt a relationship between two people because of one's ignorance. Okekebelieves that holding onto his culture's traditions is more important than keeping a closerelationship with his son. Nnaemeka's father chooses to follow his tribe members' opinions and customs,rather than listen to his son and stand by his decision to marry Nene. Evidence of this iswhen Okeke commiserates with his fellow villagers to discuss the news of his son'sdisobedience. Commenting on how shocking Nnaemeka's behavior was, the villagerslook down on Okeke's son. They think he is a bad son, even calling him "sick" andneeding a doctor or herbalist to cure his disobedience. During the tribe members'discussion, Okeke does not stand up for his son or argue that perhaps the rest of themmay be wrong about how serious the situation really is. He agrees that Nnaemeka cannotbe an exception, he must follow the traditions no matter what. Which is why Okekepicks out a suitable girl he thinks his son should marry. By following the tribe's customs,he is able to preserve his family's history and heritage within the Ibo culture. Arranging amarriage ensures that Nnaemeka does not have conflicts with members of his tribe, andmost especially his father. Tradition of arranged marriages should not be something thatmakes it seem like Nnaemeka's father does not care about his son, but rather analternative to the Western values that marriages be based solely on personal preferencesbetween the couple. Parents in the Ibo tribe, such as Okeke, want their son to follow intheir footsteps and culture by allowing marri...
