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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1638]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1638]

==Definition==

==Definition==

*1:  one that arranges a match; especially :  one who tries to bring two unmarried [[individuals]] [[together]] in an attempt to promote a [[marriage]]

*1:  one that arranges a match; especially :  one who tries to bring two unmarried [[individuals]] [[together]] in an attempt to promote a [[marriage]]

'''Matchmaking''' is the [[process]] of matching two people together, usually for the [[purpose]] of marriage, but the word is also used in the context of sporting [[events]], such as boxing, and in [[business]].  

'''Matchmaking''' is the [[process]] of matching two people together, usually for the [[purpose]] of marriage, but the word is also used in the context of sporting [[events]], such as boxing, and in [[business]].  

In some [[cultures]], the role of the '''matchmaker''' was and is quite professionalized. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi Ashkenazi] Jewish [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadchan shadchan], or the Hindu astrologer, were often thought to be essential advisors and also helped in finding right [[spouses]] as they had links and a relation of good [[faith]] with the [[families]]. In cultures where arranged marriages were the rule, the astrologer often claimed that the [[stars]] sanctified matches that both [[parents]] approved of, making it quite difficult for the possibly-[[hesitant]] children to easily object – and also making it easy for the astrologer to collect his fee. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot_divination Tarot divination] has also been employed by some matchmakers.

In some [[cultures]], the role of the '''matchmaker''' was and is quite professionalized. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi Ashkenazi] Jewish [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadchan shadchan], or the Hindu astrologer, were often thought to be essential advisors and also helped in finding right [[spouses]] as they had links and a relation of good [[faith]] with the [[families]]. In cultures where arranged marriages were the rule, the astrologer often claimed that the [[stars]] sanctified matches that both [[parents]] approved of, making it quite difficult for the possibly-[[hesitant]] children to easily object – and also making it easy for the astrologer to collect his fee. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot_divination Tarot divination] has also been employed by some matchmakers.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_dance Social dance], especially in frontier North America, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance contra dance] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_dance square dance], has also been employed in matchmaking, usually informally. However, when farming families were widely separated and kept all children on the [[farm]] working, [[marriage]]-age children could often only meet in [[church]] or in such mandated social [[events]]. Matchmakers, acting as formal chaperones or as self-employed 'busybodies' serving less clear social [[purposes]], would attend such events and [[advise]] families of any burgeoning [[romances]] before they went too far.[

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_dance Social dance], especially in frontier North America, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance contra dance] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_dance square dance], has also been employed in matchmaking, usually informally. However, when farming families were widely separated and kept all children on the [[farm]] working, [[marriage]]-age children could often only meet in [[church]] or in such mandated social [[events]]. Matchmakers, acting as formal chaperones or as self-employed 'busybodies' serving less clear social [[purposes]], would attend such events and [[advise]] families of any burgeoning [[romances]] before they went too far.[

The [[influence]] of such people in a [[culture]] that did not arrange [[marriages]], and in which [[economic]] relationships (e.g. "being able to [[support]] a family", "good prospects") played a larger role in determining if a ([[male]]) suitor was acceptable, is difficult to determine. It may be fair to say only that they were able to speed up, or slow down, [[relationships]] that were already forming. In this sense they were probably not distinguishable from relatives, rivals, or others with an interest. [[Clergy]] probably played a key role in most Western cultures, as they continue to do in [[modern]] ones, especially where they are the most trusted mediators in the society. Matchmaking was certainly one of the peripheral functions of the village priest in Medieval [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church Catholic] society, as well as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud Talmudic] duty of rabbis in traditional Jewish communities. Today, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shidduch shidduch] is a system of matchmaking in which Jewish singles are introduced to one another in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Judaism Orthodox Jewish] communities.

The [[influence]] of such people in a [[culture]] that did not arrange [[marriages]], and in which [[economic]] relationships (e.g. "being able to [[support]] a family", "good prospects") played a larger role in determining if a ([[male]]) suitor was acceptable, is difficult to determine. It may be fair to say only that they were able to speed up, or slow down, [[relationships]] that were already forming. In this sense they were probably not distinguishable from relatives, rivals, or others with an interest. [[Clergy]] probably played a key role in most Western cultures, as they continue to do in [[modern]] ones, especially where they are the most trusted mediators in the society. Matchmaking was certainly one of the peripheral functions of the village priest in Medieval [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church Catholic] society, as well as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talmud Talmudic] duty of rabbis in traditional Jewish communities. Today, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shidduch shidduch] is a system of matchmaking in which Jewish singles are introduced to one another in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodox_Judaism Orthodox Jewish] communities.

Matchmakers trade on the [[belief]] that [[romantic]] love is something akin to a human [[right]], and the modern [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_dating_service online dating service] is just one of many examples of a dating system where [[technology]] is invoked almost as a [[magic]] charm with the capacity to bring [[happiness]]. These services often rely on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_tests personality tests] (but [[genetics]] has even been proposed), aiming to maximize the identification of the best match.

Matchmakers trade on the [[belief]] that [[romantic]] love is something akin to a human [[right]], and the modern [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_dating_service online dating service] is just one of many examples of a dating system where [[technology]] is invoked almost as a [[magic]] charm with the capacity to bring [[happiness]]. These services often rely on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_tests personality tests] (but [[genetics]] has even been proposed), aiming to maximize the identification of the best match.

The acceptance of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating_system dating systems], however, has created something of a resurgence in the role of the traditional professional matchmaker. Those who find dating systems or services useful but prefer [[human]] [[intelligence]] and personal touches can choose from a wide range of such services now available. According to Mark Brooks (an online personals and social networking expert), "you can actually find people who are [[compatible]], and this is a major advance that is going to keep the industry alive for the upcoming 50 years". He also stated that matchmakers offer “a [[chance]] to [[connect]]” and “a chance to authenticate” prospects in ways the Web sites can’t.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchmaking]

The acceptance of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating_system dating systems], however, has created something of a resurgence in the role of the traditional professional matchmaker. Those who find dating systems or services useful but prefer [[human]] [[intelligence]] and personal touches can choose from a wide range of such services now available. According to Mark Brooks (an online personals and social networking expert), "you can actually find people who are [[compatible]], and this is a major advance that is going to keep the industry alive for the upcoming 50 years". He also stated that matchmakers offer “a [[chance]] to [[connect]]” and “a chance to authenticate” prospects in ways the Web sites can’t.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchmaking]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]