Discuss the different types of marriage.
Discuss the different types of marriage.
Discuss the types of marriage based on the number of men and women.
Discuss the types of marriage based on customs.
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Types of marriage :-
Marriage can be divided into several categories based on the number of men and women and on the basis of customs. The types of marriage are discussed below.
1. Monogamy :-
In the monogamous marriage system, marriage is concluded between one man and one woman. The most common, popular and acceptable marriage system in the world is monogamy. The subject of monogamy is very old. Wester Mark said that the subject of monogamy is as old as human civilization. In all countries, at all times, monogamy is considered the best.
Monogamy has some special advantages. For example -
(a) In the monogamous marriage system, the family is small in size, so its economic expenses are less.
(b) Monogamy is almost problem-free in matters related to inheritance.
(c) Monogamy is effective in establishing the dignity of women. In polygamy, it is never possible to establish equal dignity for women.
(d) Monogamy is the best for creating a proper marital bond between husband and wife.
(e) Monogamy is also desirable to prevent various sexually transmitted diseases.
(f) Monogamy is a much more permanent relationship.
(g) In a monogamous family, mutual understanding and relationship between husband and wife are strengthened.
(h) Monogamy is also better in terms of raising and socializing children.
2. Polygamy:-
Polygamy is the taking of more than one wife or more than one husband. Polygamy is of two types. Namely - (i) Polyandry and (ii) Polygyny.
(i) Polyandry: -
When a woman takes more than one husband, it is called polyandry. Polyandry is of two types -
fraternal polyandry and non-fraternal polyandry.
Fraternal Polyandry: - When a woman marries one man and his other brothers, it is fraternal polyandry. Fraternal polyandry is observed among the Toda tribes of India.
Non-Fraternal Polyandry: - When a woman takes more than one husband and there is no fraternal relationship between her husbands - it is called non-fraternal polyandry. Non-fraternal polyandry is observed among the Nair community of India.
(ii) Polygyny:-
When a man marries more than one woman, it is called polygamy. Polygamy was widely practiced in ancient India. Most of the influential and wealthy people in the society followed this practice. However, even today, this practice can be observed in Muslim society and some hill tribes. However, in the case of Hindus in India, this type of marriage is prohibited by the Hindu Marriage Act.
When a man marries a woman and her sisters, it is called Sororal Polygyny; and if there is no sister-relationship between the wives of a man, it is called Non Sororal Polygyny. In addition, if a man marries the wife of his deceased brother or elder brother, it is called Levirate and if he marries the sister of his deceased wife, it is called Sororate.
3. Group marriage:-
When more than one man takes more than one wife at the same time, it is called group marriage. All the men of this group have marital relations with all the women and every child born is considered the child of all. This type of marriage custom does not exist today. But Mardak says that group marriage is still prevalent in some cases among the Kaigong tribes of Brazil and the Chupsi tribes of Siberia.
In addition to the above types, marriage can also be divided into several categories on the basis of marriage system, customs, etc., namely -
1. Associative marriage: - If the age, lineage, educational qualifications, social status of the husband and wife are roughly the same, it is called homosexual marriage.
2. Dissociative marriage: - If the age, lineage, educational qualifications, social status of the husband and wife are vastly different, it is called dissociative marriage.
3. Anuloma: - In ancient India, the marriage of a high-caste man with a low-caste woman was called Anuloma.
4. Pratiloma:- In ancient India, the marriage of a lower caste man with a higher caste woman was called Pratiloma.
5. Arranged marriage:- Arranged marriage is the practice of marriage where the bride and groom are chosen by the family.
6. Romantic marriage:- When the bride and groom choose each other as their life partners, it is a romantic marriage.
7. Exchange marriage:- In some tribes of Australia and Melanesia, husbands give their wives to each other. This is an exchange marriage.
8. In-group marriage:- If the couple belongs to the same group, it is called in-group marriage.
9. Out-group marriage:- In this type of marriage, the bride and groom are members of different groups.
10. Purchase marriage:- In this type of marriage, the bride and groom buy the daughter and marry her on the basis of money or other assets.
In addition, many other types of marriages existed in ancient India; such as - marriage by kidnapping a daughter, Veena and Motta marriage, Swayamvara, Viryashukla, Das marriage. In addition, eight types of marriages are mentioned in the Kama Sutra - Brahma marriage, Daiva marriage, Prajapatya marriage, Arya marriage, Rakshasa marriage, Paishacha marriage, Gandharva marriage and Asura marriage.
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