My caste makes love hopeless

Sir,

I love a girl who is older than I am; I'm 18, she is 22. The next problem is our castes and religions are different. We love each other deeply and can't even think of a separation, but our families will not agree to this. The minimum age for a boy to marry a girl is 21; when I become 21, she will be 25. Her family will force her into a marriage. Please help me.

This question was submitted by 'Divin'

Mark says...

Hello Divin,

Thank you for writing to me. This is really tough and I'm not really sure how I can help you. I don't know just how constrained you are by caste, although I understand it is pretty rigid. Society, culture, belief - all can prevent the fulfilment of love, but the love itself still remains.

If you still love one another and want to be together when you are 21, would it be possible then? Or will she be forced into a marriage before then with someone she doesn't love? Whatever happens, please remember you will be okay in life. You can thrive no matter what and have a good life. And there are other women to love, if it comes to that. Although your love isn't unrequited, you may yet find something helpful within the advice I give in my article on that topic.

Sorry I can't give you a better idea of what you can do. I'd like to have more information from you, if you can provide it.

All my best and stay strong,

Mark