Advantages And Disadvantages Of Serial Monogamy

ADVERTISEMENTS: As an institution marriage is designed to satisfy the biological needs especially the sexual needs of the individual in a legal, customary, culturally defined and socially approved man Unilateral descent rule Cognative non-unlineal It also admits men and women to family life and fixes certain rights and duties in respect of children born of their union. As a stable social institution it binds two opposite sexes and allows them to live as husband and wife.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual Monogamy. Do you rely on a single person for your emotional mirroring, emotional sharing, or your emotional well-being — besides yourself? I never have. I don't expect one other person to be my “everything” and I certainly don't want that pressure on.

It also confers on them social legitimation to have sexual relations and have children. The institutionalized form of sex relations is called marriage.

It is closely associated with the institution of family and women to family. ADVERTISEMENTS: But the term marriage or vivaha is a combination of two terms i.e. ‘Vi’ and ‘Vaha’ which means the ceremony of carrying away the bride to the house of bridegroom.

In some society it is considered as a religious sacrament whereas in other society it is a social contract. Definition of Marriage: Different scholars and sociologist have tried to define it. They differ from each other. ADVERTISEMENTS: Thus from the above analysis it is concluded that marriage is both a biological, psychological, cultural and social affair. Marriage is a special type of relationship between permissible mates involving certain rights and obligations. That is why Lundberg is right when he opines that “Marriage consists of the rules and regulations which define the rights, duties and privileges of husband and wife with respect to each other.” Characteristics of Marriage: Marriage may have the following characteristics.

(1) Marriage is a universal social institution. It is found in almost all societies and at all stages of development. (2) Marriage is a permanent bond between husband and wife. It is designed to fulfill the social, psychological, biological and religious aims. (3) Marriage is a specific relationship between two individuals of opposite sex and based on mutual rights and obligations.

Relationship is enduring. (4) Marriage requires social approval. The relationship between men and women must have social approval. Without which marriage is not valid. (5) Marriage establishes family. Family helps in providing facilities for the procreation and upbringing of children.

(6) Marriage creates mutual obligations between husband and wife. The couple fulfill their mutual obligations on the basis of customs or rules. (7) Marriage is always associated with some civil and religious ceremony.

This social and religious ceremony provides validity to marriage. Though modern marriage performed in courts still it requires certain religious or customary practices.

(8) Marriage regulates sex relationship according to prescribed customs and laws. (9) Marriage has certain symbols like ring, vermillion, special cloths, special sign before the house etc. Types of Marriage: As a universal social institution marriage is found to exist in all societies and at all stages of development. Types or forms of marriage varies from society to society. Types or forms of marriage in different communities, societies and cultural groups differ according to their customs, practices and systems of thought. In some societies marriage is a religious sacrament whereas in others it is a social contract. However, there are several types of marriage which is classified on different basis.

(A) On the basis of number of mates: On the basis of number of mates marriage may be classified into three types such as Monogamy, Polygamy and Endogamy or group marriage. This can be known from the following diagram. (1) Monogamy: Monogamy is an ideal, widespread and rational type of marriage. It is found in all civilized societies.

Monogamy refers to a marriage of one man with one woman at a time. This type of marriage is normally unbreakable in nature. It continue till death. Today the principle of monogamy i.e. One husband and one wife is practised and emphasised throughout the world. Monogamy is of two types such as serial Monogamy and non-serial Monogamy. (i) Serial Monogamy: In serial Monogamous marriage the possibility of remarriage exists in case of divorce or death.

Inspite of his remarriage he remains to be monogamous. (ii) Non-serial Monogamy: In case of non-serial monogamy the question of remarriage does not arise by either of the couple. Here a spouse has the same single spouse throughout his life. However, Monogamy is an ideal or best form of marriage because of it’s different advantages which are as follows: (1) It is suitable for all society and for all levels of people.

(2) It provide better sex satisfaction to both husband and wife. (3) It promotes better understanding between the spouse. (4) It minimizes jealousy, hatred and quarrels in the family. (5) It upholds gender equality and provides equal status to men and women. (6) It provides stable sex-life and stable family life. (7) Children are taken proper care by parents.

(8) It facilitates easy rules of inheritance and succession. Because of the above advantages Monogamy is considered as the best form of marriage and is practiced everywhere. The only disadvantages of Monogamy is divorce which is resulted due to the monogamous boredom. (2) Polygamy: Polygamy is a type of marriage in which there is plurality of partners.

It allows a man to marry more than one woman or a woman to marry more than one man at a time. Polygamy is of three types such as polygamy, polyandry and endogamy or group marriage. (i) Polygamy: Polygamy is a type of marriage in which a man marries more than one wife at a time.

In this type of marriage each wife has her separate household and the husband visits them in turn. It was a preferred form of marriage in ancient Indian society. But now it was not in practice among majority of population. But it is now found among few tribal’s such as Naga, Gond and Baiga.

Economic and political cause was mainly responsible for polygamy. Besides man’s taste for variety, enforced celibacy, Barrenness of women more women population etc. Are some of the cause of polygamy. Polygamy is further divided into two types such as Sororal polygyny and non- sororal polygyny. (a) Sorroral Polygamy: Sorroral polygamy is often called as surrogate. The term surrogate comes from the Latin word ‘sorer’ which means sister.

Accordingly it refers to a marriage practice in which a man marries the sisters of his wife at a time or after the death of his wife. (b) Non-sororal Polygamy: It is just opposite of the sororal polygamy, when a man marries several women at a time who are not necessarily sister to each other it is known as non-sororal polygamy. (ii) Polyandry: Polyandry is a very rare type of marriage in present day. In this type of marriage a woman marries several men at a time.

In the words of K.M. Kapadia, “Polyandry is a form of union in which a woman has more than one husband at a time or in which brothers share a wife or wives in common. At present it is found among some of the tribes like toda, khasi and nayars. Polyandry is divided into two types such as fraternal polyandry and non-fraternal polyandry. (a)Fraternal Polyandry: When several brothers share a common wife it is called as fraternal polyandry. Draupadi’s marriage to Pandabs is fine example of fraternal polyandry.

The determination of father is associated with some rituals. At present time this type of marriage is practised by some tribals like toda and khasi.

(b) Non-fraternal Polyandry: It is just opposite of fraternal polyandry. In this type of marriage husbands of a woman is not necessarily brother to each other. This type of marriage is found among the Nayars of Kerala, Wife goes to spend some time with each of her husband. So long as a woman lives with one of her husbands, the others have no claim on her. This mainly happens due to scarcity of women.

(iii) Endogamy or Group Marriage: Endogamy is otherwise known as group marriage. In this type of marriage a group of men marry a group of women at a time. Every woman is the wife of every man belonging to the particular groups. Sociologist, like Dr.

Rivers call it as a kind of sexual communism. This type of marriage is found among some tribes of New Guinea and Africa, (B) On the basis of choice of mate or on the basis of rules of mate selection: Marriage may be divided into two types i.e. Endogamous and exogamous marriages on the basis of choice of mate or on the basis of the rules of choice of mate.

Endogamy is divided into four sub types such as caste, sub-caste, varna and tribal endogamy. Similarly exogamous marriage may be divided into four sub-types such as Gotra, Pravar, Sapinda and village exogamy. All this can be presented in the following diagram. (1) Endogamy or endogamous marriage: Endogamy or endogamous marriage refers to the marriage within one’s own group such as within one’s own caste, sub-caste, varna and tribe. In other words there are several types of endogamous marriage such as caste endogamy, sub-caste endogamy, varna endogamy and tribal endogamy. (a) Caste endogamy: Caste endogamy is a type of endogamous marriage in which marriage takes place within one’s own caste.

In a caste based society endogamy is strictly followed. Members of each caste marry within its own caste group. (b) Sub-caste endogamy: It is another type of endogamous marriage.

In a caste based society each caste is divided into many sub-castes. Like caste each sub-caste is also an endogamous unit. In sub-caste endogamy marriage takes place within one’s sub-caste only. (c) Varna endogamy: Varna endogamy is another type of endogamous marriage.

In the traditional Indian Society we found the existence of four varnas such as Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra. In varna endogamy the choice of mate is restricted to one’s own varna only. (d) Tribal endogamy: Tribe is a territorial group. Tribal endogamy is a type of endogamous married in which the choice of mate is restricted to one’s own tribal group. Like caste tribe is also an endogamous unit. (ii) Exogamy or Exogamous marriage: It is just opposite to the endogamy or endogamous marriage system.

It refers to a system of marriage in which an individual has to marry outside one’s own group such as gotra, pravara, sapinda or village. This is a sound marriage system which leads to the creation of healthy and intelligent children. However there are several forms of exogamy such as: (a) Gotra exogamy: Gotra refers to clan. Members of a particular gotra or clan supposed to have close blood relation among themselves.

Hence according to gotra exogamy one has to marry outside one’s own gotra. (b) Pravara exogamy: Pravara means siblings. People originating from a common saint are said to belong a particular Pravara.

According to Pravara exogamy one has to marry outside one’s own pravara. Marriage within pravara is forbidden. (c) Sapinda exogamy: Sapinda means-lineage. People belonging to five generations from father side and three or seven generation from mother side are known as sapindas. They believed to belong a particular pinda. Hence according to sapinda exogamy marriage within one’s own sapinda is forbidden. Download Tweetdeck Pro For Android.

They are supposed to marry outside one’s own sapnida. (d) Village exogamy: According to this principle marriage within one’s own village is forbidden each and every society prescribes certain rules relating to marriage. Some societies put several restrictions on marriage among kins whereas some other societies allows marriage between a limited number of kins. Hence in those societies marriage is sanctioned on the basis of preference or priority.

Accordingly socially sanctioned marriage among kins is known as preferential marriage. In other words on the basis of preference marriage may be divided into four types such as cross-cousin marriage, parallel cousin marriage, levirate and surrogate.

(i) Cross-cousin marriage: When marriage takes place between one’s mother’s brother’s daughter/son with father’s sister’s son/daughter we called it as cross cousin marriage. The marriage of Abhimanyu with Sashikala is an example of this cross-cousin type of marriage. This type of marriage supposed to be practised in some part of Orissa, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra etc. This type of marriage occur to avoid payment of high bride price and to maintain one’s family property. (ii) Parallel Cousin marriage: When marriage takes place between the children of either two sisters or two brothers it is known as parallel cousin marriage. This type of marriage is mostly found among Muslims. (iii) Levirate: It is otherwise known as ‘Devar Vivaha’.

When a woman marries her husband’s brother after the death of her husband it is known as levirate. This type of marriage is found among some tribes like the Gond, the Munda or the Santal the oran and the Toda etc (iv) Sororate: It is otherwise known as ‘Sali Vivah’. When a man marries his wife’s sister after the death of his wife or even when the wife is alive it is called as sororate. This type of marriage is found among some tribes like the Kharia and the Gond. (E) Anuloma or Pratiloma: Sociologist have classified marriage into Anuloma or Pratiloma.

(i) Anuloma marriage or Hypergamy: When a man of higher caste or varna marries a woman of lower caste or varna it is called as Anuloma or Hypergamy marriage. In traditional Indian society hypergamy is known as Anuloma.

This was in practice among the nobles in the past. In Bengal it was found in the form of Kulinism. (ii) Pratiloma marriage or Hypogamy: Pratiloma or hypogamy marriage is just opposite of Anuloma or hypergamy. When a man of lower caste or status marries a woman of higher caste or status it is known as pratiloma or hypogamy marriage. This is not an approved form of marriage. Ancient Hindu law giver a man a lower caste or status marries a woman of higher caste or status it is known as pratiloma or hypogamy marrieage.

This is not an approved form of marriage. Ancient Hindu law giver Manu denounced Pratiloma is still it practice among the people.

ADVERTISEMENTS: Marriage as an institution developed over the time. It may have been accepted as a measure of social discipline and as an expedient to eliminate social stress due to the sex rivalry.

The growing sense and sensibility may have necessitated the acceptance of norms for formalising the union between man and woman. Meaning of Marriage: Marriage is the most important institution of human society.

It is a universal phenomenon. It has been the backbone of human civilisation.

Human beings have certain urges like hungers, thirst and sex. Society works out certain rules and regulation for satisfaction of these urges.

The rules and regulations, which deal with regulation of sex life of human beings, are dealt in the marriage institution. We can say that the Marriage is as old as the institution of family. Both these institutions are vital for the society.

Family depends upon the Marriage. Marriage regulates sex life of human beings. ADVERTISEMENTS: Marriage creates new social relationships and reciprocal rights between the spouses. It establishes the rights and the status of the children when they are born. Each society recognises certain procedures for creating such relationship and rights. The society prescribes rules for prohibitions, preferences and prescriptions in deciding marriage.

It is this institution through which a man sustains the continuity of his race and attains satisfaction in a socially recognised manner. Sociologists and anthropologists have given definitions of marriage. Some of the important definitions are given below.

Edward Westermark. “Marriage is a relation of one or more men to one or more women which is recognised by custom or law and involves certain rights and duties both in the case of the parties entering the union and in the case of the children born of it.

Malinowski defines, “Marriage is a contract for the production and maintenance of children”. According H.M. Johnson, “Marriage is a stable relationship in which a man and a woman are socially permitted without loss of standing in community, to have children”. Reiss writes, “Marriage is a socially accepted union of individuals in husband and wife roles, with the key function of legitimating of parenthood”. William Stephens, the anthropologist, says that marriage is: (1) A socially legitimate sexual union begun with (2) A public announcement, undertaken with (3) Some idea of performance and assumed with a more or less explicit. ADVERTISEMENTS: (4) Marriage contract, which spells out reciprocal obligations between spouses and between spouses and their children.

Goode, the famous family sociologist has tried to combine the two objectives of marriage i.e. To regulate sex life and to recognize the newborn.

It was perhaps for this reason that American sociologists came out with the statement that no child should be born without a father. Although different thinkers have tried to provide definition of marriage, but there is no universally acceptable definition of marriage. There seems to be, however, a consensus that marriage involves several criteria that are found to exist cross-culturally and throughout time. For example, Hindu marriage has three main objectives such as Dharma, Progeny and Sexual Pleasure. Individual happiness has been given the least importance. It is considered to be sacrament, a spiritual union between a man and a woman in the social status of husband and wife. In Western countries, marriage is a contract.

Personal happiness is given the utmost importance. People enter into matrimonial alliances for the sake of seeking personal happiness. If this happiness is-not forthcoming they will terminate the relationship. Marriage is thus cultural specific. The rules and regulations differ from one culture to another. We can, however, identify certain basic features of this institution.

Comand Aps Software Update there. (1) A heterosexual union, including at least one male and one female. (2) The legitimizing or granting of approval to the sexual relationship and the bearing of children without any loss of standing in the community or society. (3) A public affair rather than a private, personal matter.

(4) A highly institutionalized and patterned mating arrangement. (5) Rules which determine who can marry whom. (6) New statuses to man and woman in the shape of husband and wife and father and mother. (7) Development of personal intimate and affectionate relationships between the spouses and parent and children. (8) A binding relationship that assumes some performance. The above discussion helps us to conclude that the boundaries of marriage are not always precise and clearly defined. It is, however, very important institution for the society as it helps in replacement of old and dying population.

Functions of Marriage: Marriage is an institutionalized relationship within the family system. It fulfills many functions attributed to the family in general. Family functions include basic personality formation, status ascriptions, socialization, tension management, and replacement of members, economic cooperation, reproduction, stabilization of adults, and the like. Many of these functions, while not requiring marriage for their fulfillment, are enhanced by the marital system”.

In fact, evidence suggests marriage to be of great significance for the well-being of the individual. Researchers have shown that compared to the unmarried, married persons are generally happier, healthier, less depressed and disturbed and less prone to premature deaths.

Marriage, rather than becoming less important or unimportant, may be increasingly indispensable. The functions of marriage differ as the structure of marriage differs.

‘For example, where marriage is specially an extension of the kin and extended family system, then procreation, passing on the family name and continuation of property become a basic function. Thus, to not have a child or more specifically, to not have a male child, is sufficient reason to replace the present wife or add a new wife. Where marriage is based on “free choice,” i.e. Parents and kinsmen play no role in selecting the partner, individualistic forces are accorded greater significance. Thus in the United States, marriage has many functions and involves many positive as well as negative personal factors: establishment of a family of one’s own, children, companionship, happiness, love, economic security, elimination of loneliness etc. The greater the extent to which the perceived needs of marriage are met, and the fewer the alternatives in the replacement of the unmet needs, the greater the likelihood of marriage and the continuation of that marriage. At a personal level, any perceived reason may explain marriage, but at a social level, all societies sanction certain reasons and renounce others.

Forms of Marriage: Societies evolved mannerism and method for selection of the spouses, according to their peculiar socio-economic and political conditions, and in accordance with their levels of cultural advancement. This explains on the one hand the origin of the various forms, of marriage and on the other the differences in the attitude of societies towards the institution of marriage. Some have accepted it as purely a contractual arrangement between weds, while others hold it as the sacred union between man, and woman. Forms of marriage vary from society to society.

Marriage can be broadly divided into two types, (1) monogamy and (2) polygamy. Monogamy: Monogamy is that form of marriage in which at a given period of time one man has marital relations with one woman.

On the death of the spouse or one of the partners seek divorce then they can establish such relationship with other persons but at a given period of time, one cannot have two or more wives or two or more husbands. This one to one relationship is the most modern civilized way of living. In most of the societies it is this form, which is found and recognized.

It should be noted that on a societal basis, only about 20 per cent of the societies are designated as strictly monogamous, that is, monogamy is the required form. When monogamy does not achieve stability, certain married persons end their relationship and remarry. Thus, the second spouse, although not existing simultaneously with the first, is sometimes referred to as fitting into a pattern of sequential monogamy, serial monogamy or remarriage. Advantages: Keeping in view the advantages of monogamy the world has granted recognition to monogamous form of marriage. The following are its advantages: 1. Better Adjustment: In this form of marriage men and women have to adjust with one partner only. In this way there is better adjustment between them.

Greater Intimacy: If the number of people in the family will be limited there will be more love and affection in the family. Because of which they will have friendly and deep relations. Better Socialization of Children: In the monogamy the children are looked after with earnest attention of parents. The development of modes of children will be done nicely.

There will be no jealously between the parents for looking after their children. Happy Family: Family happiness is maintained under monogamy which is completely destroyed in other forms of marriage because of jealousy and other reasons.

Thus, in this form of marriage, family is defined as happy family. Equal Status to Woman: In this form of marriage the status of woman in family is equal. If husband works she looks after the house or both of them work for strengthening the economic condition of the family. Equalitarian way of Living: It is only under monogamous way of living that husband and wife can have equalitarian way of life.

Under this system husband and wife not only share the familial role and obligations but also have joint decisions. The decision making process becomes a joint venture. Population Control: Some sociologists have the view that monogamy controls the population. Because of one wife children in the family will be limited. Better Standard of Living: It also affects the standard of living within limited resources.

One can manage easily to live a better life. It helps in the development of independent personality without much constraint and pressure. Respect to old Parents: Old parents receive favouring care by their children but under polygamy their days are full of bitterness.

Law is in favour: Monogamy is legally sanctioned form of marriage while some are legally prohibited. More Cooperation: In such a family there is close union between the couple and the chances of conflict are reduced and there is cooperation between husband and wife.

Stability: It is more stable form of marriage. There is better division of property after the death of parents. Disadvantages: 1. Adjustment: Monogamy is a marriage between one husband and one wife. So if the partner is not of choice then life loses its charm. They have to adjust between themselves but now-a-days divorce is the answer to their problem. Monopoly: According to Sumner and Keller, “Monogamy is monopoly.” Wherever there is monopoly, there is bound to be both ‘ins and outs’.

Childlessness: Some inpatients can’t have kids or some barren cannot have kids. If one of the partners has some problem couples cannot have children. They have to suffer from childlessness. Economic Factors: Marriage in monogamy does not play part of income. They have to depend upon their own occupation for living.

If they are poor they will remain poor. So monogamy effects the economic condition of man and woman. Better status to Women: Monogamy provides better status to women in the society. They are counted equal to men. Some people do not like this form of marriage.

Adultery: When they do not get partner of their own choice they start sexual relations with other people. This also leads to the problem of prostitution. Polygamy: Distinguished from monogamy is polygamy. Polygamy refer to the marriage of several or many. Polygamy is the form of marriage in which one man marries two or more women or one woman marries two or more men or a number of men many a number of women. According to F.N. Balasara, “The forms of marriage in which there is plurality of partners is called polygamy”.

Polygamy, like other forms of marriage is highly regulated and normatively controlled. It is likely to be supported by the attitudes and values of both the sexes. Polygamy itself has many forms and variations. Polygamy is of three types: (i) Polygyny, (ii) Polyandry and (iii) Group marriage. Let us now discuss forms of polygamy in details, (i) Polygyny: Polygyny is a form of marriage in which a man has more than one.wife at a time. In other words it is a form of marriage in which one man marries more than one woman at a given time.

It is the prevalent form of marriage among the tribes, Polygyny also appears to be the privilege of the wealthy, in many African societies the rich usually have more than one wife. This type of marriage is found in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. In India, polygyny persisted from the Vedic times until Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Now polygyny is visible among many tribes of India. Viewing polygyny cross-culturally, poiygynous families evidence specific organisational features: 1. In certain matters, sex particularly, co-wives have clearly defined equal rights.

Each wife is set up in a separate establishment. The senior wife is given special powers and privileges. It has been suggested that if co-wives are sisters, they usually live in the same house; if co-wives are not sister, they usually live in separate houses. It is believed that sibling can better tolerate, suppress and live with a situation of sexual rivalry than can non-siblings.

Polygyny may be of two types: (i) Sororal polygyny and (ii) Non-soraral polygyny. Sororal polygyny is one in which all the wives are sisters. Non-sororal polygyny means the marriage of one man with many women who are not sisters. Causes of Polygyny: 1. Disproportion of sexes in the Population: When in any tribe or society male members are less in number and females are more, then this type of marriage takes place.

Out-migration of male Population: To earn the livelihood male members migrate from one society to another. This way there is a decrease in the number of males than females and polygyny takes place. Hypergamy: Hypergamy also gives rise to polygyny. Under this system the parents of lower castes or classes want to improve their social status by marrying their daughters in the higher caste or classes. Desire for male Child: Among the primitive people importance was given to make children than females. Thus man was free to have as many marriages as he liked on the ground to get male children. Social Status: In some societies number of wives represented greater authority and status.

Particularly the leaders of primitive society increased number of wives in order to prove their superiority. A single marriage was considered a sign of poverty. So where marriage is taken as sign of prestige and prosperity the custom of polygyny is natural.

Economic Reason: Where the people of the poor families were unable to find suitable husbands for their daughters they started marrying their daughters to rich married males. Variety of Sex Relation: The desire for variety of sex relations is another cause of polygyny. The sexual instincts become dull by more familiarity. It is stimulated by novelty. Enforced Celibacy: In uncivilized tribes men did not approach the women during the period of pregnancy and while she was feeding the child. Thus long period of enforced celibacy gave birth to second marriage.

More Children: In uncivilized society more children were needed for agriculture, war and status recognition. Moreover, in some tribes the birth rate was low and death rate was high.

In such tribes polygyny was followed to obtain more children. Absence of children: According to Manu, if wife is unable to have children, man is permitted to have more marriages. He further says if a wife takes her husband then he should live with her one year and take another wife. Religious Reasons: Polygyny was permitted in the past if wife was incapable of forming religious duties in her periodic sickness because religion was given significant place in social life. Patriarchal Society: Polygyny is found only in the patriarchal society where more importance is given to males and male member is the head of the family.

Advantages: (1) Better status of children: In polygyny children enjoy better status. They are looked after well because there are many women in the family to care. (2) Rapid growth of Population: In those societies where population is very less and birth rate is almost zero, for those societies polygyny is best suited, as it increases the population at faster rate. (3) Importance of Males: In polygyny males occupy higher status.

More importance is given to husband by several wives. (4) Division of Work: In polygyny there are several wives. Therefore, there is a proper division of work at home. (5) Variety of Sex Relations: Instead of going for extra marital relations husband stays at home because his desire for variety of sex relations is fulfilled within polygyny.

(6) Continuity of Family: Polygyny came into existence mainly because of inability of a wife to produce children. Polygyny provides continuity to the family tree. In absence of one wife other women in the family produce children. Disadvantage: 1. Lower status of Women: In this form of marriage women have very low status; they are regarded as an object of pleasure for their husbands. They generally do not have a right to take decisions about their welfare; they have to depend upon their husband for fulfillment of their basic needs.

Jealousy as stated by Shakespeare: “Woman thy name is jealousy”. When several wives have to share one husband, there is bound to be jealousy among co-wives. Jealousy leads to inefficiency in their work. They are not able to socialize their children in a proper manner in such atmosphere. Low Economic Status: Polygyny increases economic burden on the family because in many cases only husband is the bread winner and whole of the family is dependent on him.

Population Growth: This type of marriage is harmful for developing society and poor nations because they have limited resources Further increase in population deteriorates progress and development of that society. Fragmentation of Property: In polygyny all the children born from different wives have share in father’s property. Jealousy among mothers leads to property conflicts among children as a result property is divided and income per capita decreases. Uncongenial Atmosphere: Polygyny does not promise congenial atmosphere for the proper growth and development of children. There is lack of affection among the members. As such families have large number of members. They fail to provide proper attention to all of them.

This gives rise to many immoral practices in the society. (ii) Polyandry: It is a form of marriage in which one woman has more than one husband at a given time. According to K.M. Kapadia, Polyandry is a form of union in which a woman has more than one husband at a time or in which brothers share a wife or wives in common. This type marriage is prevalent in few places such as tribes of Malaya and some tribes of India like Toda, Khasi and Kota etc. Polyandry is of two types: (i) Fraternal Polyandry and (ii) Non-Fratemai Polyandry.

(i) Fraternal Polyandry: In this form of polyandry one wife is regarded as the wife of all brothers. All the brothers in a family share the same woman as their wife. The children are treated as the offspring of the eldest brother, it is found in some Indian tribes like Toda and Khasis. This type of marriage was popular in Ceylon (Srilanka at present). (ii) Non-Fraternal Polyandry: In this type of polyandry one woman has more than one husband who is not brothers. They belong to different families. The wife cohabits with husbands in turn.

In case of Fraternal Polyandry, the wife lives in the family of her husbands, while in case of non-fraternal polyandry, the wife continues to stay in the family of her mother. This type of polyandry is found among Nayars of Kerala.

Causes of Polyandry: 1. Lesser number of Women: According to Westermark, when the number of women is lesser than the number of males in a society, polyandry is found. For example, among Todas of Nilgiri. But according to Brifficult, polyandry can exist even when the number of women is not lesser e.g. In Tibet, Sikkim and Laddakh polyandry is found even though there is not much disparity in the number of men and women. Infanticide: In some tribal societies female infanticide is present; as a result these female population is less than male population. Further males do not enjoy good status.

Therefore, one female is married to a group of brothers and polyandry exists. Matrilineal System: Just in contrast to above noted point, it has also been argued that polyandry exists in matrilineal system where one woman can have relationship with more than one man and the children instead of getting the name of father are known by mother’s name. Poverty: Polyandry exists in such areas where there is scarcity of natural resources. It is for this reason many men support one woman and her children. Bride Price: In societies where there is bridge price, polyandry exists. Brothers pay for one bride who becomes wife of all of them.

Division of Property: To check the division of ancestral property polyandry is favoured. When all the brothers have one wife then the question of division of property does not arise. Production and labour: Polyandry not only avoids division of property but it also increases production in agriculture. All the brothers work together because they have to support only one family. Thus production and income increases, further there is no expenditure with regard to labour because all the husbands contribute their share of work. Social Custom: Polyandry exists in some societies mainly because of customs and traditions of that particular society.

Generally, polyandry is found in such areas which are situated far away from modern developed areas. Advantages: (1) Checks Population Growth: It checks population growth because all the male members of the family share one wife. As a result population does not increase at that rapid rate, the way in which it occurs in polygyny Therefore, it limits the size of the family. (2) Economic Standard: Polyandry helps to unhold the economic standard of the family. It strengthens the economic position of the family because all the members work for the improvement of the family. (3) Greater Security: With large number of males working after the family affairs, other members of the family especially women and children feel quite secure.

Greater security among the members develop sense of we-feeling among the members of the family. (4) Property is kept Intact: In polyandry family does not get divided.

The property of the family is held jointly and thus it is kept intact. (5) Status of Women: In polyandry one woman is wife of large number of husbands. As a result she gets attention of all the members and thus enjoys a good status in the family. She feels quite secure because in the absence of one husband other males are there to fulfill her basic needs. Disadvantages: (1) Jealousy: When all the men have to share one woman, family quarrels and tensions are ought to be there. Husbands feel jealous of one another which adversely effect congenial atmosphere of the family.

(2) Lack of Model: When children have large number of fathers they fail to select appropriate model for themselves. This adversely effects their personality configuration. (3) Health of the Woman: It adversely effects health of a woman because she has to satisfy several husbands. It not only has negative effect on the physical health but also on mental health of the woman. (4) Sterility: According to biologists if the same woman cohabits with several men, it may lead to sterility, further lack of sex gratification give rise to extra-marital relationship of husbands. (5) Status of Men: In matrilineal system where polyandry is found husbands do not enjoy high status.

They do not give their name to the children. (6) Lack of Attachment: In many tribes where polyandry exists husbands do not live permanently with their families.

They are visiting husband who visit the family for a specific period. They do not get love and affection of their children because children feel unattached to their fathers. (7) Less Population: This form of marriage decreases population growth. In some tribal societies where polyandry continues to exist may get extinct after a gap of few years. (8) Loose Morality: This is another outcome of this practice. (iii) Group Marriage: Group marriage is that type of marriage in which a group of men marry a group of women.

Each man of male group is considered to be the husband of every woman of female group. Similarly, every woman is the wife of every man of male group. Pair bonded or Multilateral marriage are the substitute term for group marriages. This form of marriage is found among some tribes of New Guinea and Africa. In India group marriage is practised by the Toda Tribe of Nilgiri Hills.

Except on an experimental basis it is an extremely rare occurrence and may never have existed as a viable form of marriage for any society in the world. The Oneida community of New York State has been frequently cited as an example of group marriage experiment.

It involved economic and sexual sharing based on spiritual and religious principles. Like most group marriage on record, its time span was limited. Rarely do they endure beyond one or two generations. Levirate and Sororate: (i) Levirate: In levirate the wife marries the brother of the dead husband. If a man dies, his wife marries the brother of her dead husband.

Marriage of the widow with the dead husband’s elder brother is called Senior Levirate. But when she marries to the younger brother of the dead husband, it is called Junior Levirate. (ii) Sororate: In Sororate the husband marries the sister of his wife. Sororate is again divided into two types namely restricted Sororate and simultaneous Sororate.

In restricted sororate, after the death of one’s wife, the man marries the sister of his wife. In simultaneous sororate, the sister of one’s wife automatically becomes his wife. Concubinage: Concubinage is a state of living together as husband and wife without being married. It is.cohabitation with one or more women who are distinct from wife or wives. Concubinage is sometimes recognised by various societies as an accepted institution.

A concubine has a lower social status than that of a wife. The children of a concubine enjoy a lower status in the society.