Marriage is an important and universal social institution of society. As a social institution, it provides a recognized form for entering into a relatively enduring relationship for the bearing and rearing of children. It is thus primarily a way of regulating human reproduction. This reproduction, however, also has a sociological dimension. The right of sexual relationship, that universally accompanies marriage, provides legitimization to the children born in wedlock; this legitimacy is of great importance in the matters of inheritance and succession. Besides, through marriage there comes into existence the family, a relatively stable social group that is responsible for the care and training of children. In all these respects, then, marriage has historically provided the institutional mechanisms necessary for replacement of social members and thereby has been meeting the important prerequisites of human survival and society's continuance.
FUNCTIONS OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is a sanction for two people to spend their lives together and it has many implications and functions related to it. Some of the functions are mentioned herein.
Biological Function
The most important function of a marriage is to beget children. The society gives recognition to children born out of wedlock and the children thus born are ascribed status as per the norms of the society. A society basically channelizes the sexual rights through the institution of marriage and it helps in mating within the rules and regulations as ascribed by a society. This helps in maintaining the norms of incest taboo also.
Economic Functions
In order to do away with the discrimination of labour by sex, marriage comes in as a protective measure wherein the men share their produce with the wives. Marriage leads to an economic co-operation between men and women ensuring the survival of every individual in a society.
Social Function
Marriage is the way to forming a family. A marriage sanctions the status of both husband and wife in a society and thus, they are also collectively accepted by society as husband and wife. In many societies there are norms where only a married person can take part in the rituals. For example in the Hindu society there is a ritual during wedding in which the bride is blessed with oil. In this ceremony atleast seven married women hold a ring with the tip of their right hand forefinger on the brides head. Oil then is poured on this ring by the married women. It is believed that the oil which pours down from the head to below takes away all the evil and brings in good luck to the would be husband and wife. Normally, widows and divorcees do not take part in such rituals. Marriage helps in forming new kinsmen and widening his network.
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