Lesson of the Day: ‘Here Comes the Bride. And the Bride. And the Bride. Mass Weddings Boom in Lebanon.’

0
748
Lesson of the Day: ‘Here Comes the Bride. And the Bride. And the Bride. Mass Weddings Boom in Lebanon.’

Find all our Lessons of the Day here.

Featured Article: “Here Comes the Bride. And the Bride. And the Bride. Mass Weddings Boom in Lebanon.

As economic pressures prevent young couples from being able to afford marriage ceremonies, powerful benefactors have stepped in to sponsor mass weddings. What’s in it for them?

In this lesson, students consider the various factors that motivate groups to sponsor, and people to participate in, mass weddings.

Hosting a wedding can be costly — often too expensive for a young couple just getting started. In a growing social phenomenon across the Middle East, powerful benefactors have stepped in to sponsor large-scale ceremonies to make sure that young people get married.

What do you think might be the benefits and disadvantages for a young couple thinking about participating in a wedding ceremony that might include as many as dozens, hundreds or even thousands of couples? Make a list.

Now consider, what might motivate a group, organization or country to spend thousands, or even millions, of dollars sponsoring a mass wedding?

Read the article, then answer the following questions:

1. The article explains how mass weddings are a growing social phenomenon, not just in Lebanon but across the Middle East. According to the article, why do many couples choose to take part in these mass weddings?

2. In general, what are reasons benefactors across the Middle East are paying for these mass weddings, and even giving the newlyweds monetary gifts?

3. What is it about the specific religious and ethnic makeup of Lebanon’s population that gives rise to benefactors there being willing to pay for mass weddings?

4. Not every couple is eligible to participate in a mass wedding. What are some of the requirements discussed in the article for the various groups sponsoring these weddings?

5. What is your reaction to this article and to the idea of a mass wedding?

Revisit the first list you made in the warm up. What other pros and cons for participating in a mass wedding can you add to your list?

Now watch both of these one-minute videos of mass weddings discussed in the article:

Maronite mass wedding in Bkerke, Lebanon

Mass wedding in Gaza with 2,000 couples

What do you notice? What do you wonder? Do these videos change in any way your reaction to the idea of a mass wedding? Why?