Functions of marriage | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Functions of Marriage

• Marriage is an essential part of society that serves key purposes, which are crucial for the survival and continuation of communities. 
•  The roles and responsibilities of marriage help us understand it as a social institution. 
•  According to Notes and Queries (1951), marriage is defined as a bond between a man and a woman. 
•  This union ensures that any children they have are recognized as the legal offspring of both parents, as noted by Gough in 1959. 

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Biological Functions of Marriage

• Population Control: Marriage helps cultural groups manage population growth by setting clear guidelines for when it is appropriate to have children.
• Regulation of Sexual Behavior: By regulating sexual behavior, marriage reduces sexual competition and its negative consequences.
• Alternative Sexual Unions: While marriage regulates sexual behavior, there are instances of socially accepted sexual unions outside of marriage, such as those observed among the Toda people in Southern India and the practice of institutionalized mistresses in the Philippines.
• Continuation of Society: Marriage ensures the continuation of the human race and society through organized reproduction.
• Psychological Satisfaction: Marriage provides psychological satisfaction to individuals desiring children.

Social Functions of Marriage

• Foundation for Family and Society: Marriage lays the groundwork for establishing and propagating families, which are the building blocks of society.
• Expansion of Social Networks: Marriage broadens social networks, facilitating various forms of cooperation and the acquisition of new kin groups.
• Control Overpopulation: Marriage allows cultural bodies to exert control overpopulation by setting rules about when it is appropriate to have children.
• Child Enculturation: Marriage plays a crucial role in child enculturation, as children begin to learn gender roles and cultural norms during the longest period of dependence in human infants.
• Establishing Responsibility: Marriage establishes who is responsible for children and legitimizes their birthrights socially.

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Legal Functions of Marriage

• Legitimacy of Offspring: Marriage provides legal legitimacy to offspring, ensuring their rights within the community. 
• Partner Rights: Marriage protects the rights of partners in relation to one another and defines the rights and relationships of children within the community. 

Emotional Functions of Marriage: Psychological and Emotional Cohesion: Marriage offers a framework for psychological and emotional cohesion between the couple and their families, strengthening bonds and support systems. 

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Economic Functions of Marriage

• Division of Labour: Marriage promotes economic equality between men and women through a division of labor based on sex. 
• Fulfillment of Needs: Marriage provides the structure for fulfilling essential needs such as safety, food, clothing, and shelter. 
• Financial and Moral Accountability: The institution of marriage makes individuals aware of their financial and moral responsibilities towards their spouses. 
• Financial Authority: Marriage establishes financial authority over the assets and labor of the spouse. 

Conclusion
Marriage is a complex and multi-dimensional bond between two individuals, encompassing obligations not only between the couple but also between their families and the state. It is perceived by every society as a relatively permanent connection, sometimes to the extent of being irreversible in certain cultures. The institution of marriage is deemed the most suitable for raising and socializing the next generation, as it provides the necessary stability that comes with a lifelong commitment. This stability is crucial for upholding and adhering to the community’s rules, values, and objectives, ensuring the continuity and integrity of societal norms and regulations.