What is  a marriage ? Describe the characteristics and types of Marriage .

 According to the Oxford Dictionary -“Marriage is traditional which are conceived to have a legally recognized relationship between the adult

male and female and carries certain rights and obligation”.

Marriage is a social institution or a complex of social norms that are sanctioned by the relationship of a man and a woman and it binds them in a system of mutual obligations and rights which is essential for the functioning of a Family life.

 Malinowski-‘A contract is the production and maintenance of the children. He phrased the principle as the “principle of legitimacy”.

Definition of Marriage

Marriage has been defined by various scholars from different disciplines, reflecting diverse cultural, social, and legal perspectives. Here are a few definitions by different scholars:

  1. E. W. Burgess and H. J. Locke (1945): “Marriage is a union of man and woman to satisfy biological and emotional needs, as well as to ensure the continuity of society through the birth of children.”

  2. George Peter Murdock (1949): –“Marriage is a social arrangement that provides for the establishment of a family, and regulates sexual behavior, economic cooperation, andthe socialization of children.”

  3. Claude Lévi-Strauss (1969): – “Marriage is a social institution that serves as a foundation for establishing alliances between groups, extending beyond the individual couple.”

Characteristics of Marriages

  1. Marriage is the specific relationship which is between two individuals of two opposite sex which are based on the mutual rights and obligations to form a happy family

  2. Marriage is a social institution

  3. Regulating the sexual relationship is a very important function of marriage.

  4. The couple gets married to fulfill their new mutual obligation which is based on custom and roles which are accepted by law.

  5. In marriage religious activities and various rituals are attached to the social institution of marriage.

Function Of Marriage

Marriage serves various functions across different societies and cultures. These functions can be broadly categorized into social, economic, biological, and psychological aspects:

  1. Social Functions

  1. Economic Functions

  1. Biological Functions

  1. Psychological Functions

  1. Cultural and Religious Functions

  1. Legal and Political Functions

  1. Symbolic and Identity Functions

    Features of Marriage

  1. Legality and Formality

  1. Social and Cultural Norms

  1. Exclusivity

  1. Permanence

  1. Economic Partnership

  1. Sexual and Reproductive Rights

  1. Emotional and Psychological Bonds

  1. Parental Responsibilities

  1. Social Status and Identity

  1. Legal and Moral Obligations

Here we will begin with describe the types of marriage.

 

Types of Marriage

  1. Monogamy: – A form of marriage in which an individual has only one spouse at a time.

  2. Polygamy: – A form of marriage where an individual has more than one spouse simultaneously.

  3. Group Marriage (Communal Marriage): –  Multiple men and multiple women are all married to each other in this form of marriage.

  4. Arranged Marriage: –  Individuals, such as families or matchmakers, make the selection of spouses in an arranged marriage.

  5. Love Marriage: –A marriage is where the individuals choose their partners based on mutual affection, love, and personal choice, rather than familial arrangement.

  6. Civil Marriage: – A marriage performed and recognized by the state, typically without religious affiliation.

  7. Religious Marriage: – A particular faith conducts its marriage ceremony according to its customs and religious rites.

  8. Common-Law Marriage:  – The couple cohabits for a significant period, represent themselves as married, and are legally recognized as such without going through a formal ceremony or obtaining a marriage license.

  9. Cross-Cousin Marriage: – A type of marriage between the children of a brother and sister (i.e., a man marrying his maternal aunt’s daughter or a woman marrying her paternal uncle’s son).

  10. Levirate Marriage: – A custom where a widow marries her deceased husband’s brother.

  11. Sororate Marriage: – A custom where a widower marries his deceased wife’s sister.

  12. Child Marriage: – A marriage where one or both individuals are below the age of majority, typically involving minors.

Marriage sacrament and social contract

Hindus consider their marriage a sacrament, while Muslims view their marriage as a social contract.

Forms of Marriage

  1. Bramh Vivah

  2. Dev Vivah

  3. Arch Vivah

  4. Prajapati Vivah

  5. Asur Vivah

  6. Gandharv Vivah

  7. Rakshasa Vivah

  8. Paisach Vivah

Marriage as a Social Contract

In Muslim society, the Arabic word Elijah denotes the marital union.  According to Muslim Ideals, Utah is- & the contract of Husband and wife which legalizes then sexual intercourse and

imposes certain dotter and rights of themselves. It is socially and legally recognized therefore it is religion. Thus, on the one hand, Muslim marriage is a social contract while on the other it is religious. marriages in

Muslims can be classified into the following categories-

  • Valid marriages

  • Void marriages

  • Irregular marriages

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