The document discusses various aspects of marriage including its definition, characteristics, forms, and functions. It describes different types of marriages such as monogamy, polyandry, and polygyny. The document also examines how marriage has changed in modern times, with changes in the purpose of marriage, selection process, age of marriage, and increased instances of divorce. Mass communication and new trends have impacted traditional views of the stability and economic aspects of marriage.

1. Dr J Balamurugan
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

2. 
Marriage is an institution which admits men and women to
family life.
It is a stable relationship in which a man and a woman are
socially permitted to have children implying the right to
sexual relations.
Marriage is a ritual enjoined the husband to regard his wife
as a god-given gift.
Marriage
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

3. 
Malinowski – “Marriage as a contract for the production and
maintenance of children”.
Horton and Hunt – “Marriage is the approved social pattern
whereby two or more persons establish a family”.
Definition of Marriage
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

4. 
 Universality
 Relationship between man and women
 Marriage bond is enduring
 Marriage requires social approval
 Marriage is associated with some civil or religious ceremony
 Marriage creates mutual obligations
Characteristics of marriage
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

5. 
 One wife, many husbands: Polyandry.
 Fraternal polyandry
 Non Fraternal polyandry
 One husband many wives: Polygyny.
 Sororal polygyny
 Non Sororal polygyny
 One husband and one wife: Monogamy
 Endogamy
 Exogamy
Forms of Marriage
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

6. 
 Polyandry: It is a form of marriage whereas one woman marries
more than one man at a given time. This form of marriage is
further divided into two as Fraternal polyandry and Non-fraternal
polyandry.
 Fraternal Polyandry: It is a form of marriage whereas one woman
marries more than one man at a given time those who are related as
brothers by birth.
 The children are treated as the offspring of the eldest brother.
 Non-fraternal Polyandry: It is a form of marriage whereas one
woman marries more than one man at a given time those who are not
related as brothers by birth.
Conti . . .
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

7. 
 Polygyny: It is a form of marriage in which one man marries
more than one woman at a given time. This form of marriage is
divided into two.
 Sororal Polygyny: It is a form of marriage wherein one man
marries more than one woman at a given time those are related as
sisters by birth.
 Non-Sororal Polygyny: It is a form of marriage wherein one man
marries more than one woman at a given time those are not
related as sisters by birth.
Conti . . .
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

8. Monogamy:
It is a form of marriage wherein one man marries one
woman at a time.
This is the leading form of marriage.
Its advantages are now well recognized.
It produces the highest types of affection and sincere
devotion.
Affection between parents, between parents and children
and between children themselves is more wholesome under
this monogamy.
Conti . . . .
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

9.  Endogamy
 Endogamy is a rule marriage in which the life-partners are to be selected within
the group.
 It is marriage within the group, and the group may be caste, class, tribe, race,
village, religious group, etc.
 Thus, we have caste endogamy, class endogamy, sub-caste endogamy, race
endogamy, tribal endogamy and other forms.
 Exogamy
 Exogamy is almost the opposite to endogamy.
 It is a rule of marriage in which an individual has to marry outside his own
group.
 Forms – Gotra exogamy, Village exogamy, Pinda exogamy etc.
Conti…
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

10. 
Regulation sex life and sex relations of the individual.
Establishes family formation.
Marriage insists the couple to establish family by procreation.
Provides economic co-operation.
Marriage develops intense love and affection towards each other.
Its help intellectual co-operation among them.
Minimizes the social distance between groups.
Functions of Marriage
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

11. 
 Change in the aim or purpose of marriage
 Changing in the form of marriage
 Change in the process of mate selection
 Change in the age at marriage
 Change in the stability of marriage
 Change in the economic aspects of marriage
 An increase in the instances of divorce and desertion
Impact of mass communication
and recent trends in marriage
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

12. 
 Change in the aim or purpose of marriage
 The traditional marriage considers “dharma” as its primary object whereas
the modern family give importance to “life-long companionship” between
husband and wife.
 Marriage is taking place not very much for the performance of religious
duties.
 Change in the form of marriage
 Polygamy, polyandry are not found, they are legally prohibited. Only
monogamous marriage are universally practices.
 Even companionate marriage, experimental marriage, living together is
developing a new form of marriage.
Conti..
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

13. 
Modern marriage decorations

14. 
 Change in the process of mate selection
 Field of selection has become very wide. (inter sub-caste and intercaste
marriage)
 Party to selection – parents do not take an active role in the selection of life-
partners of their children.
 Criteria of selection – much importance is given to individual interest,
preference considerations rather than to family considerations.
 Change in the age at marriage
 Child marriages are virtually not found now.
 A boy below 21 years and a girl below 18 years cannot marry.
Conti…
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

15. 
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

16. 
 Change in the stability of marriage
 The concept of equality of sex has affected the value of ‘pativratya’.
 Change in the economic aspect of marriage
 Marriage ceremony is also becoming a costly affair since huge among of
money is lavishly spent on decorations, processions, band sets, video-
shooting, music, orchestra and so on.
 An increase in the instances of divorce and desertion
 Divorce and desertion are increased but these new trends and mass medias
are observed today the importance of marriage has not diminished.
Conti…
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

17. 

18. Companionate Marriage:
 The marriage of two persons on the understanding that as
long as there are no children.
 The marriage may be dissolved simply by mutual consent.
Experimental Marriage:
 In this form of marriage a man and a woman may be allowed
to lead marital life temporarily in order to find out if they can
settle down permanently in matrimonial relations.
 If they find that they have well-matched personality: they may
enter into permanent marriage relations; otherwise depart
from each other.
Conti…
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

19. 
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN

20. 
Thank you
Dr J Balamurugan, SSL, VIT, TN