Page 92 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 13: Monogamy and Polygamy

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
13.1 Types of Marriage
13.2 Summary
13.3 Keywords

13.4 Review Questions
13.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, student will be able to:
• Know the forms and types of marriage.
• Explain the meaning of monogamy and polygamy.
• Know the reasons behind monogamy and polygamy.

Introduction

The basis of the fulfillment of sexual desire in human is partly physical, partly social and cultural.
The satisfaction of sexual desire has gave birth to marriage, family and relations. Sometimes, in
same societies sexual relations out of family is acknowledged in institutional form, but it is up to
a certain extent. To fulfill sexual desire is also considered necessary for healthy and normal life.
In lack of this, many mental disorders take birth. How to fulfill the sexual desire is determined
by the society and culture. The aim of marriage is not only sexual satisfaction, but sometimes it
is done for the fulfillment of social and cultural aims only. For example, in Nagas a son marries
to all his step widow mothers except his real mother. The reason behind this marriage is not
sexual satisfaction but to get succession in the property to be distributed among the wives.

13.1 Types of Marriage

By the development of the human society many types of marriages also came into existence.
Morgan and other development preceptors believe that in the civilization of very ancient period
marriage like institution was absent; Sex Promiscuity was popular in the society of that period.
Gradually, group marriage started and after passing through different stages, custom of mo-
nogamy came into existence. On the basis of the numbers of the husband and wife, the main
types of marriages found in India can classified as following:

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