INTRODUCTION
Marriage is a social institution that has played a significant role in shaping human civilization throughout history. The concept of marriage can be traced back to ancient times, where it was seen as a fundamental aspect of human life, providing stability and order to society.
Marriage has been recognized as a vital institution for the formation of families, and the upbringing of children. It has provided a legal and social framework for the creation of intimate relationships between individuals, and has been seen as a way to satisfy human urges such as sexual desire and the need for companionship.
The institution of marriage has evolved over time, with changes in social norms, cultural practices, and legal frameworks. Today, marriage is no longer solely defined by gender roles or procreation, but is also recognized as a union based on love, mutual respect, and shared values.
In contemporary society, the institution of marriage continues to play a significant role in shaping personal relationships and family dynamics. It provides a legal and social framework for couples to formalize their commitment to each other, and to create a stable foundation for raising children and building a shared life together.
While the institution of marriage has undergone significant changes over time, it remains an essential aspect of human society, providing a framework for intimate relationships, family life, and social stability.
DEFINITION
Radcliffe Brown and Malinowski have given greater importance to the recognition of the newborn children out of the union in defining marriage.
According to Radcliffe Brown, marriage is a social institution that regulates and legitimates the procreation and raising of children within a society. He argued that the primary function of marriage is to establish a socially recognized relationship between a man and a woman, which creates a legitimate context for the procreation and raising of children. Therefore, recognizing the newborn children out of the union is essential in defining marriage, as it establishes the social and legal legitimacy of the children and their inheritance rights.
Malinowski, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of the sexual relationship between partners in defining marriage. He argued that marriage is not just a legal or social contract, but also a biological fact, as it is the sexual relationship between partners that leads to the procreation of children. Therefore, recognizing the newborn children out of the union is important in defining marriage, as it establishes the biological connection between the parents and their children.
BASIC FEATURES
BASIC FEATURES OF MARRIAGE:
- MARRIAGE IS A BINDING RELATIONSHIP THAT ASSUMES SOME PERMANENCE : Marriage is a social institution that involves a binding relationship between two individuals. It assumes some level of permanence, which means that the couple intends to stay together for a significant period of time. Marriage involves a commitment to each other, and the expectation that both partners will work together to build a shared life together. While divorce is a possibility, marriage is intended to be a long-lasting commitment.
- MARRIAGE IS A HETEROSEXUAL UNION INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE : Traditionally, marriage has been defined as a union between a man and a woman. This heteronormative view of marriage has been deeply ingrained in many cultures and societies throughout history. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition of same-sex marriage, and many countries have legalized same-sex marriage. Regardless of sexual orientation, marriage is still understood as a binding relationship between two individuals.
- MARRIAGE IS A STRICTLY HUMAN SOCIAL INSTITUTION AND ASSUMES SOME PERMANENCE AND CONFORMITY TO SOCIAL TERMS : Marriage is a social institution that is unique to human beings. It is a cultural and legal construct that varies across different societies and cultures. While the basic features of marriage are universal, the specific norms and expectations around marriage can vary widely. Marriage assumes some level of permanence and conformity to social terms, which means that it is expected to follow certain cultural and legal norms. For example, in many cultures, marriage is seen as a way to create a stable foundation for starting a family, and there are legal and social expectations around child-rearing and family responsibilities.
In summary, the basic features of marriage include a binding relationship that assumes some permanence, a heterosexual union (although this is changing in many societies), and a social institution unique to human beings that assumes conformity to social terms. While the specific norms and expectations around marriage may vary across different cultures and societies, these basic features are universal.
FUNCTIONS OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is a complex social institution that serves various functions within a society.
Here are some of the main functions of marriage:
- PERPETUATES KINSHIP GROUPS : One of the primary functions of marriage is to perpetuate kinship groups. Marriage provides a framework for creating new families and expanding existing family networks. When two people get married, they become part of each other's families, and this creates new connections between previously unrelated kin groups. Marriage is therefore a way to strengthen and perpetuate family ties and ensure the continuity of kinship groups across generations.
- CREATES NEW RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FAMILIES AND OTHER KINDS OF KIN GROUPS : Marriage also creates new relationships between families and other kinds of kin groups, such as clans or tribes. In many cultures, marriage is seen as a way to build alliances between different groups, and to strengthen social bonds between them. By creating new relationships between families, marriage helps to build social cohesion and promote cooperation within a society.
- CONTRIBUTES TO EMOTIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL INTERSTIMULATION OF THE PARTNERS : Marriage also contributes to the emotional and intellectual interstimulation of the partners. By sharing their lives together, couples learn to communicate effectively, empathize with each other, and provide emotional support. They also have the opportunity to share their knowledge, skills, and interests, and to learn from each other. This intellectual and emotional interstimulation helps to foster personal growth and development, and to deepen the bond between partners.
Overall, marriage serves important functions within a society, including the perpetuation of kinship groups, the creation of new relationships between families and other kinds of kin groups, and the emotional and intellectual interstimulation of the partners. These functions help to promote social cohesion and stability, and contribute to the well-being and personal development of individuals and communities.
FORMS OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is a complex social institution that takes many forms across different cultures and societies. Here are two main forms of marriage:
● Monogamy (One husband and one wife)
● Polygamy (Marriage to more than one partner at the same time)
MONOGAMY (ONE HUSBAND AND ONE WIFE)
Monogamy is a form of marriage in which an individual is married to only one partner at a time. It is the most common form of marriage in many societies around the world. Here is a detailed explanation of monogamy:
DEFINITION : Monogamy is a social institution that involves a legal or social union between two individuals who are committed to each other exclusively. In monogamous marriages, the partners are expected to be faithful to each other and to fulfill their responsibilities towards each other and their children, if any.
FEATURES : The key features of monogamy include the following:
- EXCLUSIVITY : In a monogamous marriage, the partners are expected to be committed to each other exclusively and to have sexual relations only with each other.
- PERMANENCE : Monogamous marriages are expected to be long-lasting and to provide a stable and supportive environment for the partners and their children.
- EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT : Monogamous marriages involve a strong emotional attachment between the partners, based on mutual respect, trust, and love.
ADVANTAGES : Monogamous marriages have several advantages, including the following:
- Emotional security : Monogamous marriages provide emotional security to the partners, as they know that their spouse is committed to them exclusively.
- Social stability: Monogamous marriages contribute to social stability by providing a stable and supportive environment for the partners and their children.
- Health benefits: Monogamous marriages have been linked to better physical and mental health, as compared to non-monogamous relationships.
- Parenting benefits: Monogamous marriages provide a stable and supportive environment for raising children, as the parents are committed to each other and to their children.
CRITICISMS: Monogamous marriages have also been criticized for various reasons, including the following:
- LACK OF VARIETY : Some people feel that monogamy can be boring and restrictive, as it does not allow for sexual variety or experimentation.
- GENDER ROLES : Monogamous marriages have been criticized for reinforcing traditional gender roles, with women expected to take on domestic and caregiving responsibilities, while men are expected to be the breadwinners.
- UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS : Some people feel that monogamy sets unrealistic expectations for relationships, as it expects one person to fulfill all of the emotional and sexual needs of another person.
In conclusion, monogamy is a form of marriage that involves a legal or social union between two individuals who are committed to each other exclusively. While it has its advantages and disadvantages, it remains the most common form of marriage in many societies around the world.
Monogamy could further be discussed in two types; LEVIRATE AND SORORATE.
LEVIRATE: Levirate is a form of marriage in which a man marries the widow of his deceased brother. This is often done to ensure that the deceased brother's family line and property remain intact. In some cultures, levirate marriages are seen as a way to provide financial and emotional support to the widow and any children she may have had with her deceased husband.
SORORATE: Sororate is a form of marriage in which a man marries his wife's sister. This form of marriage is often seen as a way to ensure that the husband has access to additional resources and support, as well as to strengthen the ties between the two families. In some cultures, sororate marriages are seen as a way to keep property and wealth within a family or clan.
POLYGAMY (MARRIAGE TO MORE THAN ONE PARTNER AT THE SAME TIME)
Polygamy is a form of marriage in which an individual is married to more than one spouse at the same time. This practice is still prevalent in some parts of the world, although it is illegal in many countries.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN FORMS OF POLYGAMY :
- POLYGYNY : Polygyny is a form of marriage in which a man is married to multiple wives. This is the most common form of polygamy and is practiced in many cultures around the world. In some societies, the number of wives a man can have is limited by his social status or his ability to provide for them.
- POLYANDRY : Polyandry is a form of marriage in which a woman is married to multiple husbands. This form of polygamy is much less common than polygyny and is practiced in only a few cultures around the world. In some societies, polyandry is used as a way to keep property and wealth within a family or clan.
Polygamy has both advantages and disadvantages.
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF POLYGAMY INCLUDE:
- It can help to ensure the survival of the family lineage and name.
- It can provide financial security and support to all members of the family.
- It can help to increase the population in societies where there are more women than men.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE ALSO MANY DISADVANTAGES TO POLYGAMY, INCLUDING:
- It can lead to jealousy and conflict between spouses.
- It can lead to an unequal distribution of resources and attention within the family.
- It can contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
In conclusion, polygamy is a form of marriage in which an individual is married to more than one spouse at the same time. While it has some advantages, it also has many disadvantages and is not widely accepted in many parts of the world.
FORMS OF POLYGAMY: polygamy, polyandry and group marriage
Polygamy, polyandry, and group marriage are all forms of marriage that involve multiple partners. Here is an explanation of each:
- POLYGAMY : Polygamy is a form of marriage in which one person is married to multiple spouses of the opposite sex at the same time. The most common form of polygamy is polygyny, which involves one man having multiple wives. Polygyny is practiced in many cultures around the world and is often seen as a way to expand one's family, social, and economic networks.
- POLYANDRY : Polyandry is a form of marriage in which one woman is married to multiple husbands at the same time. Polyandry is much less common than polygyny and is practiced in only a few cultures around the world. In polyandrous societies, the husbands may be brothers or close relatives who share responsibility for providing for the family.
- GROUP MARRIAGE : Group marriage, also known as polyamory, is a form of marriage in which multiple partners of any gender are married to each other. In group marriages, all members of the group are considered equal partners and share the responsibilities and benefits of the relationship. Group marriages can be open or closed, depending on the preferences of the partners.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the institution of marriage plays a significant role in society as it contributes to social stability, kinship groups, emotional and intellectual interstimulation of the partners, and more. Marriage comes in different forms such as monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, and group marriage. Monogamy is the most common form of marriage, while polygamy, polyandry, and group marriage are practiced in a few cultures around the world. Each form of marriage has its own unique characteristics and advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of marriage form depends on cultural, social, and personal factors.