subject: Definition And Characteristics Of Marriage [print this page] Definition And Characteristics Of Marriage
There is no definition which adequately covers all types of human marriages. It has given a a number of definition and explanations among the following may be noted.
Edward Westermarch in his "History of Human Marriage" defines marriage as "the more or less durable connection between male and female lasting beyond the mere act propagation till after the birth of offspring".
Alfred McClung Lee writes, "marriage is the public joining togather, under socially specified regulations of a man and woman as husband and wife".
Characteristics of Marriage:
Marriage is more or less a universal institution. It is found among the preliterate as well as literate peoples. It is enforced as a social rule in some of the societies.For example, Japan, celibacy is publically condemned. In Korea, the unmarried individuals are called 'half' persons. Among the Hindus, marriage is a sacrement which regarded as more or les obligatory. The Todas of Nilagiri refuse to perform funeral rites for a girl if she dies before her marriage. but they do perform it after completing some sort of marriage ceremony for the corpse. According to the Chinese philosoper confucius, an individual who remains unmarried throughout his life commits a great crime. As Levi-Strauss has observed that the unmarried primitives of Central Brazil are made to lead a miserable life.
2. Relationship between Man and Woman. Marriage is a union of man and woman. It indicates relationship between one or more men to one or more women. Who should marry whom? One should marry how many?- are the questions which represent social rules regarding marriage which differ significantly.
3. Marriage Bond is Enduring. Marriage indicates a long lasting bond between the husband and wife. Hence it is not coexistensive with sex life. It excludes relationships with prostitutes or any other sexual relationship which is viewed as casual and not sanctioned by custom, law or church. Marital relationship between man and woman lasts even after the sexual satisfaction is obtained. The Hindus, for example, believe that marriage is a sacred bond between the husband and wife which even the death cannot break.
4.Marriage Requires Social Approval. A union of man and woman becomes a marital bond only when the society gives its approval. When marriage is given the hallmark of social approval, it becomes a legal marriage.
5. Marriage is Associated with Some Civil or Religous Ceremony. Marriage gets its social recognition through some ceremony. This may have its own rites, rituals, customs, formalities, etc. It means marriage has to be concluded in a public and solemn manner. Sometimes it receives as a sacrement the blessings of religion. Marriage among the Hindus, for example, is regarded as a sacrement. It connected with rituals such as- Homa, Saptapadi, Panigrahana, Mangalya-Dharana, etc.
6. Marriage Creats Mutual Obligations. Marriage imposes certain rights and duties on both the husband and wife. Both are required to support each other and their children.
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