Page 88 - DSOC201_SOCIAL_STRUCTURE_AND_SOCIAL_CHANGE_ENGLISH

Unit 3: Marriage

One object of marriage is practically the same in all the three communities (Hindus, Muslims, and Notes
Christians), that is, getting social sanction of sex relations and procreation. But while amongst the
Hindus, marriage is based on the religious sentiments, these have no great significance in Muslim
marriage. In Christian marriage, religion has great significance. The Christians think that the institution
of marriage has a central place in God’s purpose for all human life. Sexual union among Christians is
not considered to be a necessary evil nor is it regarded simply as a means of bringing children into
the world. They believe that marriage takes place because of the will of God. After the marriage, man
and woman submerge themselves in each other. The marriage creates not only the biological relations
but also the mental and the religious relations between them. The three objects of Christian marriage
are believed to be: procreation, escape from fornication (sex relations without marriage) and mutual
help and comfort. On the basis of these objects, the Christian marriage is defined as “contract between
a man and a woman normally intended to be binding for life for the purpose of sexual union, mutual
companionship and the establishment of a family”.
Mate Selection and Marriage Rituals

The selection of marriage partners, like Hindus, is made in three ways: by parents, by boys and girls
themselves, and by parents and children together. However, in nine out of every ten cases, selection
is made and marriage is settled by the parents. While selecting a partner, the focus is on avoiding
blood relations, social status of family, and the education, character, qualities, and the physical fitness
of the selected mate. There is very little difference in Christian and Hindu marriages as regards the
consanguinity and affinity restrictions are concerned. However, unlike the Muslims, there is no such
thing as ‘preferred persons’ for marriage.
After the selection of the partner, betrothal ceremony is performed at the bride’s house where the boy
gives a ring to the girl. Occasionally, in exchange, the girl also gives a ring to the boy. After the
engagement, the formalities to be fulfilled include: producing a certificate of church membership, a
certificate of character and submitting an application for marriage in the church three weeks before
the due date. The church priest then invites the objections against the marriage. The marriage day is
fixed, if no objection is received in a specified period.
On the marriage day, the wedding takes place in the church of which the girl happens to be the
member. The priest asks the groom and the bride whether they accept each other as wife and husband
and when they give their consent, he solemnizes the marriage by asking the couple to declare in the
presence of the witnesses that “I (A.B.), in the presence of the Almighty God and in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, do take thee (C.D.), to be my lawful wedded wife/husband”.
The Features

The Christians practise monogamy, while polygyny and polyandry are strictly prohibited. The Indian
Christian Marriage Act, 1872, amended in 1891, 1903, 1911, 1920, and 1928 covers all marriage aspects
like who is to perform marriage, the place where it is to be performed (that is, church), the time at
which it is to be performed (between 6: 0 a.m. and 7: 0 p.m.), the minimum age of the boy and the girl
at the time of marriage, and the condition(s) under which it is to be performed (the marriage partners
should not have a living spouse at the time of marriage).

The Christians practise divorce too, though the church does not appreciate it. The Indian
Divorce Act, 1869 refers to the conditions under which the divorce may be obtained. It
covers dissolution of marriage, declaring marriage null and void, decree of judicial
separation, protection order and restitution of conjugal rights.

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