Ask HN: Dating as if the family business matters?

2 pointsby PaulHoule2년 전4 comments

I was watching the anime Ranma ½ where the premise is that Ranma Saotome is supposed to marry Akane Tendo to take on the legacy of the Tendo dojo. Now, everything after that is a complete farce, but it describes a situation where there's a definite and universal economic benefit even if it is thoroughly alien to the current culture in the US. Maybe it's a third world problem.

Suppose you do have a family business where the heir has some of the skills to continue the business but not all of them. If the heir marries the right person this would be an ideal answer to problems of continuity and succession. Let's say also, unlike Akane Tendo, the heir thinks this is a good idea.

How would somebody go about finding a partner who can fill a role like that?

4 comments

illuminant2년 전

I have an unpopular view on this, that grooming family lines to preserve legacies are a GREAT idea!

It is modern western culture which has lost its way, not the other way around. Sure sure "we marry for love", yet do we? Our relationships don't last, because our individualism is fleeting and changes over time.

Arranging our lives to suit the generational continuity is more pragmatic and leaves a lasting contribution to humanity.

I don't speak for everyone, and obviously the partners would have to get along, yet a relationship one works towards for values is one built upon a foundation more solid than "likes".

brodouevencode2년 전

Asking European monarchies might be useful.

PaulHoule2년 전

Right. I think there are other kinds of "upper class" people who face the same situation.

I think of the very interesting problems of the British monarchy where they could have benefited institutionally from the charisma of Princess Diana who, like Elizabeth 2 and unlike Charles had superstar potential. (e.g. in the end the monarchy is exactly as powerful as how much people like the king)

throwaway551102년 전

Tinder... just play the numbers game