India, Feb. 16 -- A young woman recently declared on social media: "Arranged marriage is glorified in India because it's the only way 70% of men who are creepy, useless and don't know how to talk to women can get a wife."

The remark offended many. But beneath its provocation lies a cultural discomfort worth examining.

Arranged marriages are not designed around romance. They prioritise family alignment, caste continuity, financial stability and social reputation.

Emotional fluency, flirtation, charm or even grooming are not decisive factors. If a man's education, income, horoscope and background are aligned, the rest is negotiable.

For generations, this structure has insulated Indian men from developing romantic competence. In Urban In...