Marriage

Marriage

Introduction and definition:

Marriage is one of the universal social institutions established to control and regulate the life of mankind. It is closely associated with the institution of family.Infact both the institutions are complementary to each other. It is an institution with different implications in different cultures. Its purposes, functions and forms may differ from society to society but it is present everywhere as an institution. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but is usually an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged.  Westermarck in 'History of Human marriage' defines marriage as the more or less durable connection between male and female lasting beyond the mere act of propagation till after the birth of offspring. According to Malinowski marriage is a contract for the production and maintenance of children. Robert Lowie describes marriage as a relatively permanent bond between permissible mates. For Horton and Hunt marriage is the approved social pattern whereby two or more persons establish a family. Alfred McClung Lee writes, "marriage is the public joining together, under socially specified regulations of a man and woman as husband and wife".

Type of Marriages

Types of marriage on the basis of numbers

Polygyny:

It is a form of marriage in which one man marries more than one woman at a given time.

Polyandry:

It is the marriage of one woman with more than one man. It is less common than polygyny.

Monogamy:

It is a form of marriage in which one man marries one woman .It is the most common and acceptable form of marriage..

Group Marriage:

It means the marriage of two or more women with two or more men. Here the husbands are common husbands and wives are common wives. Children are regarded as the children of the entire group as a whole.
Types of marriage on the basis of social norms:
Endogamous - A marriage within the boundaries of the domestic group, between members of the same group.

Exogamous - A marriage outside of the domestic group, between members of different groups.

Sororate marriage - A marriage in which a man marries his wife's sister, usually after the wife is dead or has proved infertile.

Levirate marriage - A marriage in which a woman marries one of her husband's brothers after her husband's death, if there were no children, in order to continue his line.

Modern and western marriage:

Same-sex marriage  - A marriage between two people who are of the same sex.

Love marriage - A marriage where the basis for the marriage is love.

Trial marriage - A situation were the couples agree to stay together without formalising or legalising the relationship as they wait to see whether it is going to work out.

Types of marriage according to Hindu Religion:

The Hindu community has been giving great importance for marriage since time immemorial. There are different forms of marriage –

Brahma Vivaha is where a father marries his daughter to a learned man of good moral character.

Asura Vivaha is marriage by paying bride price.

Rakshasa Vivaha is by capture or abduction without obtaining the consent of a girl or her parents.

Gandharva Vivaha is based on mutual love.

Prajapatya Vivaha is where no ceremony is performed but the groom is honoured.

Characteristics of Marriage:
Marriage is more or less a universal institution. It is found among the preliterate as well as literate peoples. It is enforced as a social rule in some of the societies.For example, Japan, celibacy is publically condemned. In Korea, the unmarried individuals are called 'half' persons. Among the Hindus, marriage is a sacrement which regarded as more or les obligatory. Characteristics of marriage can be mentioned in points as follows:
1. Relationship between Man and Woman. Marriage is a union of man and woman. It indicates relationship between one or more men to one or more women. Who should marry whom? One should marry how many?- are the questions which represent social rules regarding marriage which differ significantly.
2. Marriage Bond is Enduring. Marriage indicates a long lasting bond between the husband and wife. Hence it is not coexistensive with sex life. It excludes relationships with prostitutes or any other sexual relationship which is viewed as casual and not sanctioned by custom, law or church. Marital relationship between man and woman lasts even after the sexual satisfaction is obtained. The Hindus, for example, believe that marriage is a sacred bond between the husband and wife which even the death cannot break.
3.Marriage Requires Social Approval. A union of man and woman becomes a marital bond only when the society gives its approval. When marriage is given the hallmark of social approval, it becomes a legal marriage.
4. Marriage is Associated with Some Civil or Religous Ceremony. Marriage gets its social recognition through some ceremony. This may have its own rites, rituals, customs, formalities, etc. It means marriage has to be concluded in a public and solemn manner. Sometimes it receives as a sacrement the blessings of religion. Marriage among the Hindus, for example, is regarded as a sacrement. It connected with rituals such as- Homa, Saptapadi, Panigrahana, Mangalya-Dharana, etc.
5. Marriage Creats Mutual Obligations. Marriage imposes certain rights and duties on both the husband and wife. Both are required to support each other and their children.
6. Marriage is universal.
7. Marriage does have symbolic meanings, behaviors and customs, which are distinct and unique.
8. The procedures, functions and attitudes of marriage differ as per the society and culture.
9. Family and kinship are created through marriage.
10. The fundamental biological, social and economic requirements are fulfilled by marriage.
Social significance of marriage as a social institution:
Marriage is a fundamental social institution. The social significance of marriage are mentioned below:

1.      Psychologically people get sexual satisfaction through marriage. Marriage gives continuity to child birth.

2.      Family and kinship relationship is established through marriage.

3.      Process of socialization of new born begins after marriage.

4.      Marriage provides social security.

5.      Children born after marriage get social validity and gets rights from their parents.

6.      It helps in developing mutual relationship between husband and wife in economic and other social activities.

7.      Inter caste marriage strengthens the caste ethnic relationship.

8.      Marriage creates social division of labor for male and female.

9.      The married couple feels social responsibilities and duties.

10.  It broadens social relationship, cultural exchanges, understanding among individuals and communities.

Marriage is a fundamental and gradual social process. It has social, cultural and economic significance.

Marriage as a social institution:

Marriage is one of the most ancient and important social institution. Together with the evolution of the marriage, human society is also evolving in an organized and disciplined way. Each society through social customs have instructed on what needs to be done and need not to be done after marriage. Some of the fundamental requirements like sexual intercourse, child bearing and procurement of children are fulfilled after marriage.

Marriage can be seen as a focal point of the entire societal development. It is marriage, which gathered the disorganized humans. Not only the sexual relationship between men and women and reproduction were legalized after marriage but also the socialization process also began. Thus, relying on following assumptions we can accept marriage as a social institution.

1.      Marriage has certain processes of working system.

2.      Intimate relationship with society and culture

3.      It has general objectives.

4.      The concerned agents of marriage are provided with certain rights and responsibilities.

5.      Marriage is associated in fulfilling of basic requirements of human.

6.       Marriage contributes to social development in society.