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 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.
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 "marriage is the approved social pattern whereby two or more persons establish a family".
Horton and Hunt "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 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 a smallest social unit.
- Formative Influence: The family welds an environment which 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 has 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 precaution to safeguard this organization from any possible break down.
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 the 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 prior to 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 one and 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.