Page 119 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Unit 16: Changing Trends in Marriage

changing. In their society the women being independent, both financially and otherwise, a Notes
change in the traditional views regarding marriage is being perceived. Compared to followers of
other religions, the Christians tend to follow the western society and are more influenced by the
western culture. In such a scenario, their traditional ideology regarding marriage is changing.
The following are the changes viewed recently in the Indian Christian marriage Institution:
1. The religious aspect of marriage is getting feeble. Instead of following religious rituals of
wedding in the Church, they prefer to opt Civil Marriage. After the wedding, the bride and
the groom do pay a formal visit to the Church to seek blessings. Because of such a trend, the
religious base of marriage is getting weaker and it is gaining important as a contract.
2. Romance has an important role in Christian marriages. Because of the comparatively in-
dependent environment in the Christian society, men and women get a fair opportunity to
get close to each other. Thus, romance blossoms between them. So, love marriages based
on romance are prevalent among Christians. According to a survey, 42% of marriages were
found to be based on friendly relations, 28% on introduction during social functions and
20% through relatives.
3. In Christianity, marriages in blood relations are restricted. But now civil marriages between
other relations, (except close blood relations) are taking place. Thus, it is evident that mar-
riage restrictions are getting feeble.
4. Though religion does not accept ‘divorce’, but divorces are becoming a trend. Most of the
women are financially self dependent, have freedom and are aware of their rights in the
family sphere. For a successful marriage, mutual trust, love, faithfulness, sacrifice, sympa-
thy and supporting each other in every situation and over-looking each others weakness
are the factors which are extremely important. Lack of these, results in mental stress and
divorce, there by increasing the number of such cases. Today, in many Christian families,
lack of adjustment between the couple leads to divorce. The growing number of divorce
cases are acting as a deterrent in the stability of family life.
5. Religion does not view widow remarriage as unacceptable. A widow is allowed to remarry
after a year of her husband’s demise, in case she fails to suppress her sexual urges. At pre-
sent, any widow can remarry a few days after her husband’s demise. These days Christians
are encouraging widow re-marriages.
Because of such changes, the Christian marriage has become a simple contract, which can be
terminated at will. A person is free to marry anyone, anytime. In Christians, family stability has
become a matter of concern.

Self Assessment
Fill in the blanks:
1. Presently, the number of __________ marriages is increasing in India.
2. Until some time ago, the social position of ________ was quite low, as compared to her
husband, but now both of them share a similar position.
3. Now marriages are getting ________.

16.3 Summary
• There are many factors which are responsible for the recent changes in marriage. For
example, Industrialisation, Urbanisation, Western Education, Affluence, Women’s Campaign,
New laws etc.

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