DescriptionThis dissertation examines how second generation Indian-American youth in the United States are negotiating and transforming the practice of arranged marriage. The tradition of arranged marriage has been modeled in their families for generations, but these youth are growing up in a cultural context that highly values freedom of choice and embraces autonomy, as well as validates various alternative lifestyles other than marriage. The bicultural identities of second generation Indian-American youth provide a framework for their decisions about future marriage. Little is known about how Indian-American youth view the preservation of cultural and familial marriage traditions. Through the use of a three part survey on the topics of marriage, choice and emotional expression, as well as in-depth interviews, this project explored how Indian-American youth formulate their constructions of marriage, and how they are situated amid many influences of modern western society. A social constructivist approach was utilized to elicit detailed descriptions of the perceptions and insights of the youth subjects, aged 15 to 21. This enabled the formulation of theory grounded in the lived experiences of these youth. Adults aged 30-61 also completed surveys and interviews to provide parental viewpoints in order to discern generational differences. Subjects were located in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. The primary finding of this research is that second generation Indian-American youth are not completely rejecting or indiscriminately resisting the practice of arranged marriage. They are open to matchmaking, but they desire choice in the process. They embrace traditional family values, consider the guidance of their elders, and desire parental approval and blessing of their future marriage decisions. They negotiate parental rules, expectations and communications in a variety of ways to exert agency in decisions related to participation in premarital social activities. Though the influences of globalism and western culture impact how Indian-American youth shape their opinions and decisions, these forces have not erased their allegiance to Indian traditions.