Marriage

 Meaning and Definition

oMarriage is the socially approved way of establishing  a family of procreation (breeding) (Gillan and Gillan).

oMarriage is a contract for the production and maintenance of  children ( Malinosky)

oMarriage is the relatively permanent bond  between permissible mates (Robert H. Lowie)

oMarriage is the public joining together , under socially specified  regulations  of a man and women as husband and wife (Alfred Mcclung Lee)

 Meaning and Definition

oMarriage is the socially approved way of establishing  a family of procreation (breeding) (Gillan

and Gillan).

oMarriage is a contract for the production and maintenance of  children ( Malinosky)

oMarriage is the relatively permanent bond  between permissible mates (Robert H. Lowie)

oMarriage is the public joining together , under socially specified  regulations  of a man and women as husband and wife (Alfred Mcclung Lee)

Characteristics

qUniversality   

qRelationship between man and women

q Marriage bond is Enduring (permanent)

qMarriage requires social  Approval

qMarriage is associated  with some civil or religious ceremony

q Marriage creates mutual  obligation (contract)

Functions

q Regulation of sex life

qMarriage leads to  the establishment of  the family

qProvides for economic cooperation

qMarriage contributes the emotional and  Intellectual  Inter-stimulation  of the partners

qMarriage aims to social solidarity 

Monogamy

q One man marries one woman

qMost widespread form of marriage

q It has almost universal practice at present

qAncient Romans and Spartans had given recognition to it

q Ancient Hindus  regarded monogamy as the most ideal  form of marriage

Endogamy

qEndogamy is the rule of marriage in which life partners are to be selected within the group.

q Within the group we  mean the caste, class, tribe, race etc. we have caste endogamy, class endogamy, race endogamy etc.

q Example: Brahmin has to marry with Brahmin Newar has to marry with Newar (caste endogamy) etc.

• Advantages

qIt contributes to the group unity and solidarity

q it helps to  preserve group culture

Disadvantages

q By dividing the society it strikes  at national unity

q By limiting the choice of life partners it may promote evil practices such as dowry system, bride price etc.

Exogamy

q Almost the opposite of endogamy

q Rule of marriage in which an individual has to marry outside his own group

qNear relatives are not supposed  to marry among themselves

Types

qGotra Exogamy: one marring with outside one’s own gotra.

q Village Exogamy: many Indian tribes like Naga, Garo, Munda have the practice of marri

ng outsides the village

qPinda Exogamy: those belong to the same pinda or sapinda  can not marry within themselves.