2. What is Marriage?
Marriage, also called matrimony is a socially
or ritually recognised union
between spouses that establishes rights and
obligations between those spouses, resulting
biological or adopted children and affinity.
It is an institution which admits men and
women to family life. It is a stable relationship
in which a man and woman are allowed to
have children.
3. CHARACTERISTICS OF MARRIAGE
Universality of marriages and early marriages are the special features in the
history of nuptiality in India.
Marriage being a major event in the life of girls in cultural context that
define their primary role as wives and mothers.
Marriage is considered as a sacred duty(dharma) among the Hindus and is
universal in Indian society. The performance of dharma and procreation are
the two main purpose of marriage.
Marriage is recognised an important factor affecting the fertility and
population growth in developing countries, where the contraceptive
prevalence rates are at a moderate to low level.
The Indian society presents an altogether different picture of marriage
alliances through advertisement. The situation and nature of the content
analysis is varying from generation to generation, particularly in recent
years it a posing a different picture together. It is in fact transitory and fast
changing. Some sociologists describes this situations as a ‘crisis’ between
tradition and modernity.
4. FORMS OF MARRIAGE
Monogamy
To be married to one person at a time
Bigamy
The state of being married to two people at the same time.
Serial monogamy
Having several marriage partners one after the another, not at the same time
Polygamy
To have more than one marriage partner
Polygyny
A man having several wives
Polyandry
A woman having two or more husbands at the same time
Group marriage
The family unit consists of multiple husbands and multiple wives
5. NORMS OF MARRIAGE ON THE SELECTION OF
POTENTIAL MARRIAGE PARTNERS
Endogamy
It is a custom where a person marries someone from within his or her own
group- tribe, nationality, religion, race, community.
Exogamy
It is a custom where a person marries someone outside one’s own group.
Sororate
It is a type of marriage in which a husband engages in marriage or sexual
relationships with the sister of his wife, usually after the death of his wife
or if his wife has proven infertile.
Levirate
It is a type of marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obliged
to marry his brother’s widow
6. 15 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MARRIAGES
HELD IN INDIA
Marriages in India are a grand affair and they are held in a unique
manner in the different regions and states. Be it north, south, east or
west all the weddings in India are celebrated with great gusto and
fervor and each religion has its own traditions and ritual.
Bengali Wedding
Malyali Wedding
Assamese Wedding
Buddhist Wedding
Jain Wedding
Kannada Wedding
Gujrati Wedding
Christian wedding
8. In India marriages of girls were often performed before or immediately after
the attainment of menarche. Once the girls attain puberty ,the search for a
suitable mate begins, which is a crucial step in the process of marriage.
However the process of mate selection is governed by various rules and
regulations, which are mostly cultural in nature that decides the
domain and criteria of selection.
In Indian context, caste endogamy i.e. marrying among the members of the
same caste is strictly followed.
Marriages of the young persons especially girls are mostly initiated and
finalised based on their sibling position.
In the southern states of India ,a distinct feature is the preference for
marriages between the cross-cousins and between uncle and niece.
Another conspicuous cultural practice is the payment of dowry, which has
become common among all the communities of India.
In many of the communities bride price was prevalent in past India.
The selection of a proper spouse is the duty of parents rather than the
individual concerned unlike in western societies.
9. Another cultural aspect of matching horoscope of bride and bridegroom
is also widely prevalent
Moreover ,women are to marry men who are socio-economically
similar or better than their own i.e., homogamous and hypergamous
type of mate selection
But changes are likely to occur in cultural practices governing the
mate selection and age at marriage over a period of time depending on the
new challenges that emerge out of the new conditions to which society
adopts, adjusts and changes.
10. • Exogamy and endogamy, the traditional rules regarding mate selection in Hindu
society have been changed. The rules of Varna, caste and sub-caste endogamy, Gotra
and Pravara exogamy have been banned by legislations.
Changes in the rule of selection of mate
• The younger generation may not hesitate to express their desires and expectations
about their partner the selection of spouse is done in consultation with the bride and
bridegroom, unlike the past, due to the influence of western ideas like liberalism,
individualism and also as a result of economic independence
Decrease in the parental control over the
selection of mates
• In Medieval India, the custom of child marriage was very much in vogue. After the
passing of sarada Act child marriage has become illegal and the marriageable age has
been raised to 21 for boys and 18 for girls as per the law
Age at marriage
11. • Marriage is a religious sacrament and takes place only through the performance of
certain rituals and rights. Today’s most of these rites and rituals have been
eliminated and marriages can be solemnized even in the civil court according to
the special marriage Act 1954 or in other institution like Arya Smaj with
simplified rituals
Changes in the rite of marriage
• In the past, divorce was not easily granted and permitted in Hindu society. The
hindrance on divorce made the institution of family and marriage stable and
enduring. The Hindu Marriage Act 1955 ,however brought a significant change in
the marriage system of India by permitting divorce under certain specific
circumstances.
Change in the stability of marriage or
Provision of divorce
• In the past, ornaments and jewelry were given to their daughters in their marriage
as a token of their love and affection towards her. Nowadays, this system is
gradually changing and has become a pre condition of marriage and a compulsory
obligation to the girl’s family.
Changes in the customs of Dowry
systems
12. • Widow remarriage was strictly forbidden earlier by the Hindu society. The
Hindu widows Remarriage Act of 1856 allows widows to remarry. So widow
remarriage is no more considered to be wrong in Hindu society.
Permission of widow remarriages
• Earlier, a husband was allowed to have more than one wife in Hindu Marriage
System. The Hindu Marriage Act 1955 has announced polygamy to be illegal
and states that nobody can marry for the second time in presence of their first
wife.
Abolition of polygamy
• Universality of marriage was a special feature of Hindu society, since a son is
essential for attaining heaven and salvation of the ancestors. Besides, a wife
was necessary for performing his dharma and religious activities. But
nowadays, educated young men and women do not believe in the ancient
religious values. Girls are becoming economically independent and remain
unmarried until they get a suitable match.
Marriage is not held as compulsory
13. What is Family?
Family is a group of people related either by consanguinity ,affinity or co-
residence, or adoption and having a shared commitment to the mutual
relationship. It is a basic social unit consisting of parents and their
children. Family is the principal institution for the socialization of
children.
Indian family is considered to be strong, stable ,flexible and enduring. The
head of the Indian family is generally the senior male and the person is
respected by all the family members for his seniority, good judgment and
experience. Rules are to be mainly set up by him and he controls the
family's finances and serves as the judge in case of family disputes.
14. CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILY
Economic needs
A common habitation
Universality
Emotional basis
Formative influence
Social regulation
Sharing of responsibilities and rights
15. PATTERNS OF FAMILY
ORGANIZATION
Based on Internal Organization or Membership
Nuclear family Extended Family
An extended family is a
family group that
includes uncles, aunts,
grandparents as well as
parents, children and
brothers, sisters etc.
A family consisting of a
mother, a father and
their children ,not
including aunts, uncles
,grandparents etc.
16. Joint Family Blended Family
A Consanguineal family unit
that includes two or more
generations of kindred
related through either the
paternal or maternal line who
maintain a common
residence and are subject to
common social, economic,
and religious regulations
The blended family describes
families with mixed parents
,one or both parents
remarried, bringing children
of the former family into the
new family.
17. Based on Descent or Ancestry
It implies family genealogical ties of a person with a
particular group of kinsfolk
• Involves the reckoning of descent through the father’s
family only
Patrilineal descent
• Involves the reckoning of descent through the
mother’s family only
Matrilineal descent
• Involves the reckoning of descent through both the
father’s and mother’s families
Bilateral descent
19. Based on Residence
Patrilocal
• The married couple settles in the
husband’s home or community
Matrilocal
• The husband leaves his family and goes
to live with the wife’s family after
marriage
20. Neolocal
• The married couple resides separately
and independently from both the
husband’s natal household and wife’s
natal household
Bilocal
• It is the societal post marital residence in
which couples, upon marriage ,choose to
live with or near the groom’s parents or
the bride’s parents
21. CHANGES AND LEGISLATION ON FAMILY AND
MARRIAGE IN INDIA- MARRIAGE ACTS
The Prevention Of Sati Act 1829
The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act 1856
The Civil Marriage Act 1872
The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961
The Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929
The Hindu Adoption And Maintenance Act 1956
Family Court Act 1984
22. Marriage And Family Problems In India
Present lower status of women
Dowry system
23. References
Forms of Hindu Marriage, Important India ,on September 15,
2013 By Ajay Mathurhttps://www.importantindia.com
http://blog.byoh.in/http://blog.byoh.in/15-different-types-of-indian-
weddings
Introduction to Sociology , Introduction to Marriage and Family
https://opentextbc.ca/
Changes in the Marriage System of Hindus in Modern
India ,Puja Mondal
Recent Changes in Hindu Marriage,shuani
CHANGING TRENDS OF MARRIAGE AMONG THE INDIAN
YOUTH OF MODERN ERA, http://www.indianyouth.net/,INDIAN
YOUTH
Woman’s Marriage in India, J Sheela
MARRIAGES IN INDIA, A Psycho-sociological Study, Dr. V.
Narayan Karan Reddy
Marriage in Indian Society,Usha Sharma
