Definition and features of marriage.
Definition and features of marriage.
Define marriage. Discuss the features of marriage.
Characteristics of marriage.
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Definition of marriage :-
Marriage is a primary social institution. Through marriage, the relationship between a man and a woman is legalized and socially recognized. The existence of marriage can be observed in every society in the world. Fatherhood is legalized through marriage. Family and marriage complement each other. Although many changes have been made in the marriage system in the present era, its basic character and features have remained the same.
While defining marriage, Westermark said - marriage is more than controlled sexual behavior.
Horton and Hunt said - marriage is a socially recognized system that builds a family through the marital relationship of two or more people.
Malinowski said - marriage is a type of relationship between a man and a woman through which there is an opportunity to gain fatherhood or motherhood beyond establishing sexual intercourse.
Will Durant says - Marriage is not just a license for sexual intercourse; marriage is the relationship between parents and children that forms the family and plays the role of the primary unit of society.
Therefore, marriage is the union of one or more men with one or more women, which is recognized by society. It is through marriage that the relationship between men and women is legalized and the right to procreate and raise children is obtained.
Features of marriage: -
1. Marriage is a universal system: - The existence of marriage can be observed in every society in the world. Although the characteristics of marriage differ in different societies and at different times, its basic structure remains the same everywhere and always. The existence of a society without marriage cannot be imagined. Since marriage creates a family and the family is the basic unit of society - therefore, marriage can also be called one of the elements of every society.
2. Legitimacy of male-female relationship: - Marriage provides legitimacy to the sexual relationship between men and women. Through marriage, the sexual relationship between men and women is conducted in a controlled and well-organized manner. If the well-organized structure is abolished or is not in the society, the relationship between man and woman would be filled with adultery.
3. Changeability: - Since marriage is a social institution, marriage also changes at every stage of social evolution. There is a great difference between the marriage system of primitive human society, ancient and medieval societies. Extreme changeability can be observed in the marriage system in post-modern times.
4. Social customs and traditions: - There is a close relationship between social customs and traditions with the marriage system. The customs associated with marriage also differ in different societies. Social customs and traditions are associated with marriage and give rise to social traditions and culture.
5. Religious influence: - The influence of their respective religions can be observed in the marriage of people of different religions. For example, there is a great difference in the marriage between Hindus and Muslims. Even the constitution has different laws and systems for people of different religions in the matter of marriage.
6. Permanent institution:- Marriage is generally a permanent institution. Although there are many cases of divorce today, it is negligible in percentage. Since the evolution of the marriage system from primitive society, the existence of division is still present in the post-modern era. There is no such fear of the abolition of the marriage system in the future. Therefore, marriage is a permanent social institution.
7. Responsibility:- Through marriage, the married life begins between a man and a woman. As a result, several responsibilities and duties begin between the husband and wife from the beginning of married life. Only if these responsibilities and duties are fulfilled properly, married life is happy and prosperity comes in family life.
8. Essential element of family formation:- The essential means of family formation is marriage. A family is formed on the basis of the marriage of a man and a woman. This system is one and the same everywhere in the world. Apart from family formation, marriage gives rise to various other kinship relationships. Such as - brother-in-law, sister-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law - sister-in-law - etc.
9. Procreation:- One of the main purposes of marriage is to give birth to and raise children. Thus, marriage facilitates the distribution of property among the heirs through procreation.
10. Types of Marriage:- There are various types of marriage systems in the present society. Such as - monogamy, group marriage, polygamy, polygyny. Also, arranged marriages, romantic marriages, etc. can be observed as types of marriage.
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