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. In fact, both 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.
Definition
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".
Horton and Hunt state that “marriage
is the approved social pattern whereby two or more persons establish a family”.
Characteristics
- Universality: There is no human society in which some form of the
family does not appear. Malinowski writes that the typical family, a group
consisting of mother, father, and their progeny, is found in all
communities, savage, barbarians and civilized. The irresistible sex need,
the urge for reproduction, and the common economic needs have contributed
to this universality.
- Emotional Basis: The family is grounded in emotions and sentiments. It
is based on our impulses of mating, procreation, maternal devotion,
fraternal love, and parental care. It is built upon sentiments of love,
affection, sympathy, cooperation, and friendship.
- Limited Size: The family is smaller in size. As a primary group,
its size is necessarily limited. It is the smallest social unit.
- Formative Influence: The family weaves an environment that surrounds,
trains, and educates the child. It shapes the personality and molds the
character of its members. It emotionally conditions the child.
- Nuclear Position in the Social
Structure: The family is the nucleus
of all other social organizations. The whole social structure is built of
family units.
- Responsibility of the Members: The members of the family have certain
responsibilities, duties, and obligations. Maclver points out that in
times of crisis, men may work and fight and die for their country, but
they toil for their families all their lives.
- Social Regulation: The family is guarded both by social taboos and by
legal regulations. The society takes precautions to safeguard this
organization from any possible breakdown.
Types of Marriage
Polygyny:
It is a form of marriage
in which one man marries more than one woman at a given time. It is of two
types --- Sororal polygyny and non-sororal polygyny
- Sororal polygyny: It is a type of marriage in which the wives are
invariably sisters. It is often called sororate.
- Non-sororal polygyny: It is a type of marriage in which the wives are not
related as sisters.
Polyandry:
It is the marriage of
one woman with more than one man. It is less common than polygyny. It is of two
types: Fraternal Polyandry and Non-Fraternal Polyandry.
- Fraternal polyandry: When several brothers share the same wife, the
practice can be called alelphic or fraternal polyandry. This practice of
being mate, actual or potential, to one’s husband’s brothers is called
levirate. It is prevalent among Todas.
- Non - fraternal polyandry: In this type, the husband need not have any close
relationship before the marriage. The wife goes to spend some time with
each husband. So long as a woman lives with one of her husbands, the
others have no claim over her.
Monogamy:
It is a form of marriage
in which one man marries one woman. It is the most common and acceptable form
of marriage.
- Serial monogamy: In many
societies, individuals are permitted to marry again, often on the death of
the first spouse or after divorce, but they cannot have more than one
spouse at the same time.
- Straight monogamy: In this,
remarriage is not allowed.
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.
