In Cambodia, the choice of a spouse is a complex one for the young male. It may involve not only his parents and his friends, 【B1】___those of the young woman, but also a matchmaker. A young man can【B2】a likely spouse on his own and then ask his parents to【B3】the marriage negotiations, or the young man’s parents may make the choice of a spouse, giving the child little to say in the selection. 【B4】, a girl may veto the spouse her parents have chosen. 【B5】a spouse has been selected, each family investigates the other to make sure its child is marrying【B6】___a good family.

The traditional wedding is a long and colorful affair. Formerly it lasted three days, 【B7】___by the 1980s it more commonly lasted a day and a half. Buddhist priests offer a short sermon and【B8】prayers of blessing. Parts of the ceremony involve ritual hair cutting, 【B9】cotton threads soaked in holy water around the bride’s and groom’s wrists, and【B10】a candle around a circle of happily married and respected couples to bless the【B11】Newlyweds traditionally move in with the wife’s parents and may【B12】with them up to a year, 【B13】___they can build a new house nearby.

Divorce is legal and easy to【B14】___, but not common. Divorced persons are【B15】with some disapproval. Each spouse retains【B16】property he or she【B17】into the marriage, and jointly-acquired property is【B18】equally. Divorced persons may remarry, but a gender prejudice【B19】up: The divorced male doesn’t have a waiting period before he can remarry【B20】___the woman must wait ten months.

【B16】