Meaning & Definition of Marriage | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• Marriage is a phenomenon that exists across various societies, although the patterns and practices may differ significantly. In the first section of this unit, students will be introduced to the concept, definition, and meaning of marriage, along with the diverse types of marriages found in different societies. Through this, we will explore why marriage rules, despite varying among societies, tend to serve similar functions.
• As times change, the institution of marriage has also been experiencing significant transformations. These changes will be discussed in the final section of this unit, providing a comprehensive understanding of the evolving nature of marriage in contemporary society.

The Origin and Definition of Marriage

Marriage is a universal phenomenon described by most anthropologists, but its origins continue to be debated. Early social thinkers and anthropologists, who were followers of the theory of evolutionism, believed that humans lived in a state of promiscuity where individual marriage did not exist. As societies developed, group marriages emerged to regulate and maintain order. Over time, the natural instinct of jealousy led to the establishment of single marriages to restore harmony in society. However, the exact origin of marriage remains unknown.

The Definition of Marriage

• Many anthropologists have attempted to define marriage, but no single definition has been universally accepted. George Peter Murdock (1949) defined marriage as a universal institution involving residential co-habitation, economic cooperation, and the formation of the nuclear family. Edward Westermarck placed emphasis on marriage as a recognized union between a man and a woman with mutual sexual rights. These definitions, however, did not encompass polygynous and polyandrous marriages, nor did they consider marriages where spouses lived separately or where the responsibility of the child was with the mother's brother rather than the biological father.
• Kathleen Gough (1959) defined marriage as a relationship established between a woman and one or more other persons, which provides that a child born to the woman under circumstances not prohibited by the rules of the relationship is accorded full birth-status rights common to normal members of their society or social stratum. This definition included polyandry, which was missing in earlier definitions. Edward Westermarck later redefined marriage as a social institution that may be defined as a relation of one or more men to one or more women that is recognized by custom or law and involves certain rights and duties both in the case of parties entering the union and in the case of the children born in it.
• However, these definitions still did not cover all types of marriages, such as those based on homosexuality, as seen among the Azande of Sudan. William N. Stephens defined marriage as a socially legitimate sexual union, begun with a public pronouncement, undertaken with the idea of permanence, and assumed with a more or less explicit marriage contract spelling out reciprocal economic obligations between spouses and their future children. This definition also fails to consider the various taboos that exist in different societies related to marriage.
• For the convenience of anthropological discourse, we will refer to the definition of marriage as stated in Notes and Queries: "Marriage is a union between a man and a woman such that the children born to the woman are recognized as legitimate offspring of both partners." This definition encompasses the types of marriages practiced in the majority of societies worldwide, while other forms of marriage will be discussed as variations from the norm.

Conclusion

• Marriage is a complex and diverse institution that exists across various societies, with differing rules and practices. Although its origins remain debated, anthropologists have attempted to define marriage to encompass the wide range of relationships and unions observed. Despite the numerous definitions, it is difficult to find one that covers all aspects of marriage, including polygamy, polyandry, and same-sex marriages.
• For the purpose of anthropological study, the definition from Notes and Queries provides a basis for understanding marriage as a union between a man and a woman, where children born to the woman are recognized as legitimate offspring of both partners. However, it is important to acknowledge and discuss variations from this definition to gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving nature of marriage in contemporary society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Meaning & Definition of Marriage

What is the origin of marriage?

The origin of marriage remains debated among anthropologists and social thinkers. Early theories suggested that humans initially lived in a state of promiscuity, and as societies developed, group marriages emerged to regulate and maintain order. Eventually, the natural instinct of jealousy led to the establishment of single marriages to restore harmony in society. However, the exact origin of marriage remains unknown.

Why is it difficult to find a universally accepted definition of marriage?

It is difficult to find a universally accepted definition of marriage because it is a complex and diverse institution that exists across various societies, with differing rules and practices. Definitions that have been proposed often do not encompass all types of marriages, such as polygamy, polyandry, and same-sex marriages.

What is the definition of marriage used in this text for anthropological discourse?

For the purpose of anthropological study, the definition of marriage used in this text is from Notes and Queries: "Marriage is a union between a man and a woman such that the children born to the woman are recognized as legitimate offspring of both partners." This definition covers the types of marriages practiced in the majority of societies worldwide, while other forms of marriage are discussed as variations from the norm.

How has the institution of marriage evolved in contemporary society?

The institution of marriage has evolved in contemporary society to encompass a wider range of relationships and unions, such as same-sex marriages, cohabitation without marriage, and more flexible gender roles within marriages. Additionally, marriage laws and practices have been modified in many societies to be more inclusive and adapt to changing cultural values and beliefs.