Page 99 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Unit 13: Monogamy and Polygamy

13.2 Summary Notes
• By the development of the human society, different kinds of marriages came into existence.
• In monogamy, one male marries one female at a time. Monogamy is believed an ideal form
of marriage in Hindu society.
• When more than one man or women get tied in a bond of marriage, it is called polygamy.
• There are four forms of polygamy — Polyandry, Polygyny, Bigamy and Group Marriage.
• Polyandry also has two forms — (i) Fraternal or Adelphic Polyandry (ii) Non-Fraternal or
Non-Adelphic Polyandry.

13.3 Keywords

1. Bigamy: One male marries two females at a time. This custom is popular in Oraygon and
Eskimo tribes
2. Group Marriage: A group of males marries to a group of females. Every man of the male
group is a husband of every woman of the female group. This custom is found in the tribes
of Australia.

13.4 Review Questions

1. Discuss the reasons behind monogamy.
2. Explain the meaning and reasons of polygamy.
3. What is the difference between Polyandry and Polygyny?
4. What is the meaning of group marriage?

Answers: Self Assessment

1. get rid of 2. children 3. comparison

13.5 Further Readings

Indian Society and Social Institutions—Dr R.N.Saxena
Marriage and Family in India—K.M. Kapadia

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