FEW COULD fail to be moved by the plight of Clitheroe teenager Naheeda Begum who is now in hiding with her boyfriend after a last-minute escape from an arranged marriage.

Naheeda refused to board a plane to Islamabad with her father after learning she would not be marrying her long-term boyfriend, but someone else instead.

To many Asian parents, themselves happily settled after arranged marriages, Naheeda's behaviour is unthinkable and incomprehensible.

But to their offspring, born and brought up in Britain, it is now becoming more and more of an option.

It is a classic case of cultures colliding.

It is also a prime example of how a little needs to give on both sides to achieve a happy ending.

As Blackburn Racial Equality Council director Rafique Malik points out, there is certain to be an increase in such cases unless there is a move towards more consultation between parents and their children.

He says young people educated here are becoming more assertive and expressing their own views about their lives.

We agree.

Today's children are less inclined to blindly accept what they would have done in the past, and parents in all cultures are finding they have to adapt if they don't want to sever family ties forever.

Asian parents, especially, where traditional ways are still highly valued, find it difficult to believe their children do not want to follow the paths they themselves took.

But there is a compromise solution.

Mr Malik says many young people are still happy for their parents to arrange marriages, but they want to be consulted about who they will be marrying.

This is happening increasingly not only Britain, but also in Pakistan.

Parents are talking things over with their children, and in return, the youngsters ask them to arrange their marriages.

It seems the happiest solution all round.

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