Nameless:
Who cares how desperate people are for shidduchim. A shidduch is only meant for MARRIAGE. Engagement means “engaged to be married”. If one side of the shidduch has no intention on staying with the person, what kind of mushchas is he/she to go through with a marriage they don’t want? You have to toss out all the faulty statistics used to sew fear into the hearts of girls. It’s disgusting, manipulative, and destroying marriages.
For the benefit of the original poster:
There are a few categories of broken shidduchim:
1] As a result of manipulative family intervention (i.e. they don’t like the girl weight, where couple will live, dress or hairstyles)unless the person is committed to grow their own wings, and cut the apron strings. STAY AWAY. Far, far, far away.
2] As a result of something that will significantly impact marriage which was only found out AFTER the engagement (i.e. hidden criminal background of close family member, serious illness, significant emotional/psychological issue, etc.) that should not be held against the boy/girl. GO FOR IT. They are the real victims in the whole situation. They were fooled and mistreated.
3] Situation #2, but it was KNOWN AHEAD OF TIME, but went through with engagement anyhow. STAY AWAY, the boy/girl is likely to flip again.
4] If it was due to hashkafic issues, INSIST on long dates, and long courtship period to allow all cards to be laid clean on the table.