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Marriage: Characteristics and Types of Marriage
   Read this article to get information on marriage, its characteristics
   Like family, marriage is another important social institution. Marriage
   bio-psychic and social instincts of man. Marriage is one of the most
   Marriage
   As an institution marriage is designed to satisfy the biological needs
   The institutionalized form of sex relations is called marriage. It is
   But the term marriage or vivaha is a combination of two terms i.e. ‘Vi’
Definition of Marriage:
   (1) According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “Marriage is a physical,
   (2) According to Malinowski, “Marriage is a contract for the production
   (3) Edward Westermark in his famous book ‘History of human marriage’
   defined, “Marriage is a relation of one or more men to one or more
   (4) According to H.M. Johnson, “Marriage is a stable relationship in
   (5) According to Lowie, “Marriage is a relatively permanent bond
   (6) According to Horton and Hunt, “Marriage is the approved social
   Thus from the above analysis it is concluded that marriage is both a
   biological, psychological, cultural and social affair. Marriage is a
   opines that “Marriage consists of the rules and regulations which
Characteristics of Marriage:
   Marriage may have the following characteristics.
   (1) Marriage is a universal social institution. It is found in almost
   (2) Marriage is a permanent bond between husband and wife. It is
   (3) Marriage is a specific relationship between two individuals of
   (4) Marriage requires social approval. The relationship between men and
   women must have social approval. Without which marriage is not valid.
   (5) Marriage establishes family. Family helps in providing facilities
   (6) Marriage creates mutual obligations between husband and wife. The
   (7) Marriage is always associated with some civil and religious
   marriage. Though modern marriage performed in courts still it requires
   (8) Marriage regulates sex relationship according to prescribed customs
   (9) Marriage has certain symbols like ring, vermillion, special cloths,
Types of Marriage:
   As a universal social institution marriage is found to exist in all
   societies and at all stages of development. Types or forms of marriage
   varies from society to society. Types or forms of marriage in different
   customs, practices and systems of thought. In some societies marriage
   However, there are several types of marriage which is classified on
   On the basis of number of mates marriage may be classified into three
   types such as Monogamy, Polygamy and Endogamy or group marriage. This
   Monogamy is an ideal, widespread and rational type of marriage. It is
   found in all civilized societies. Monogamy refers to a marriage of one
   man with one woman at a time. This type of marriage is normally
   In serial Monogamous marriage the possibility of remarriage exists in
   case of divorce or death. Inspite of his remarriage he remains to be
   In case of non-serial monogamy the question of remarriage does not
   However, Monogamy is an ideal or best form of marriage because of it’s
   of marriage and is practiced everywhere. The only disadvantages of
   Polygamy is a type of marriage in which there is plurality of partners.
   polyandry and endogamy or group marriage.
   Polygamy is a type of marriage in which a man marries more than one
   wife at a time. In this type of marriage each wife has her separate
   of marriage in ancient Indian society. But now it was not in practice
   refers to a marriage practice in which a man marries the sisters of his
   Polyandry is a very rare type of marriage in present day. In this type
   of marriage a woman marries several men at a time. In the words of K.M.
   polyandry. Draupadi’s marriage to Pandabs is fine example of fraternal
   At present time this type of marriage is practised by some tribals like
   It is just opposite of fraternal polyandry. In this type of marriage
   of marriage is found among the Nayars of Kerala, Wife goes to spend
   (iii) Endogamy or Group Marriage:
   Endogamy is otherwise known as group marriage. In this type of marriage
   Dr. Rivers call it as a kind of sexual communism. This type of marriage
   Marriage may be divided into two types i.e. endogamous and exogamous
   marriages on the basis of choice of mate or on the basis of the rules
   marriage may be divided into four sub-types such as Gotra, Pravar,
   (1) Endogamy or endogamous marriage:
   Endogamy or endogamous marriage refers to the marriage within one’s own
   other words there are several types of endogamous marriage such as
   Caste endogamy is a type of endogamous marriage in which marriage takes
   It is another type of endogamous marriage. In a caste based society
   is also an endogamous unit. In sub-caste endogamy marriage takes place
   Varna endogamy is another type of endogamous marriage. In the
   (ii) Exogamy or Exogamous marriage:
   It is just opposite to the endogamy or endogamous marriage system. It
   refers to a system of marriage in which an individual has to marry
   This is a sound marriage system which leads to the creation of healthy
   marry outside one’s own pravara. Marriage within pravara is forbidden.
   to sapinda exogamy marriage within one’s own sapinda is forbidden. They
   According to this principle marriage within one’s own village is
   marriage. Some societies put several restrictions on marriage among
   kins whereas some other societies allows marriage between a limited
   Hence in those societies marriage is sanctioned on the basis of
   preference or priority. Accordingly socially sanctioned marriage among
   kins is known as preferential marriage. In other words on the basis of
   preference marriage may be divided into four types such as cross-cousin
   marriage, parallel cousin marriage, levirate and surrogate.
   (i) Cross-cousin marriage:
   When marriage takes place between one’s mother’s brother’s daughter/son
   marriage. The marriage of Abhimanyu with Sashikala is an example of
   this cross-cousin type of marriage. This type of marriage supposed to
   This type of marriage occur to avoid payment of high bride price and to
   (ii) Parallel Cousin marriage:
   When marriage takes place between the children of either two sisters or
   two brothers it is known as parallel cousin marriage. This type of
   marriage is mostly found among Muslims.
   levirate. This type of marriage is found among some tribes like the
   called as sororate. This type of marriage is found among some tribes
   Sociologist have classified marriage into Anuloma or Pratiloma.
   (i) Anuloma marriage or Hypergamy:
   varna it is called as Anuloma or Hypergamy marriage. In traditional
   (ii) Pratiloma marriage or Hypogamy:
   Pratiloma or hypogamy marriage is just opposite of Anuloma or
   higher caste or status it is known as pratiloma or hypogamy marriage.
   This is not an approved form of marriage. Ancient Hindu law giver a man
   of marriage. Ancient Hindu law giver Manu denounced Pratiloma is still
    1. Forms of Marriage: Polyandry, Polygyny and Monogamy
    2. Hindu Marriages: Monogamy, Polyandry and Polygamy
   Marriage