Marriage is a universal biopsychic phenomenon existing in all societies of the world. Helps in social cohesion & continuity.
Marriage has following characteristics which differ from society to society
- Character of marriage: It explains why marriage exists & its objectives.
- Due to different explanation – different views
- creation of god
- result of ancestor’s genius.
- tells its objective: husband and wife.
- gives socially recognized intimacy between
- To procreate children and perpetuate family.
- To make use of woman’s economic functions.
- Due to different explanation – different views
- Mate choice: Different options are there in mate choice i.e spouse selection
- Free to select the mate → thr love, sexual desire, Attracted by personal qualities of the spouse
- Not free to select –
- due to size of bride price demanded or
- status of spouse’s kin group or
- Levirate/ Sororate obligation.
- Functional transactions :
- Bride price
- Bride service
- Dowry
- Gift exchange
- Ceremonials : diversity in diff societies.
- Ritual observances such as fasting, drinking, singing etc.
- Elaborate ceremonies such as betrothal ceremony, ring ceremony. wedding ceremony, virginity test etc.
- Residence: It may be patilocal, matrilocal, bilocal, neolocal, avuncolocal
- Authority in family : It may be patriarchy, matriarchy, avunco- potestality. etc.
- Stability of union:
- Weak union- easy divorce. Found in some non-literate societies. As many spouses lead to weak union
- Strong union– found in some modern societies.
- Divorce –
- Simple in some societies
- Highly complex in some
- alimony & maintenance also new norms
- Remarriage – also diff
ConclusionThus characteristics of marriage give detail nature of the marriage system and tell about its variations the world over.
