Family- Basic Social unit
Family is the basic social unit. The entire structure of human civilization depends on success of the institution of family. Joint family system, clan or tribe are extension of familysystem. Marriage is the mode through which a new family is brought in existence.
Love Marriage
When a young man and a young woman come close, their mutual attraction and love inspires them for a lasting relation. Thus they get married and form a family. Such marriage is called love marriage. When love between a man and woman is the sole or major determinant of marriage, this is love marriage. Love marriage is more common in the west. In fact, if a man or a woman do not like any individual of the opposite gender, marriage may not take place.
Arranged marriage- Origin and causes
In India, arranged marriage is traditionally accepted. Although the likes and dislikes of marriagable boy or daughter may be considered, major determinants are the collective decision of family. such decisins are based on social and economicstatus, business opportunities, political considerations, horoscope etc. Such marriages do not give due importance to the likes or dislikes of the prospective couple.
Caste system, Dowry, astrology and economic system have played an important role in system of arranged marriage. Love is blind and knows neither caste nor status. caste is an important determinant of arranged marriage. Marriage between same Ghotra (lineage) is not permitted.. Traditionally, all boys and girls of same village are considered brothers and systers and marriage among them is not permitted.
Dowry is major cause of dominance of arranged marriage. The family of marriagable boy expects suitable amount of dowry including cash and kind in consideration of marriage. this benefit will not be reaped if the boy marrys out of love with a girl on his own. Caste is another important factor. Caste and Ghotra are considered when fixing a marriage.
Caste system is basically occupation based. Traditionally, there is no choice of occupations. The family trade or occupation is passed on from generation to generation. There is no individual property or business. The youngmen have necessarily to inherit the family occupation. Those inheriting family property, business and occupation are dependent on the joint family. Consequently, there is little scope of taking individual decision in an important matter including marriage. so marriage has to be an arranged one. Usually, such marriage is between members of the same occupational group.
Conditional love marriage
Historically, even when love marriage was permitted, this was between the same tribe. When anyone broke the norms, there was trouble and would result even in killings. even now, we witness suck killings in parts of Uttar Pradesh like Meerut and Muzaffar Nagar. In Frontier province of Pakistan as well, the errant boys and girls are killed in name of 'honour'. Such killings are called 'honour killings'.
Industrial revolution and its effect on marriage
rial revolution has given rise to large factories resulting in urbanization. Consequently, the caste and joint family system have weakened. The women are also now getting educated and employed in commercial establisnments and factories. Consequently, there is more contact between members of opposite generation than before when there was a sort of gender apartheid. Co-education was not allowed and often girls would be denied higher education.
With the weakening of family based business and trade as well as the joint family system,there is greater tendency for love marriages. In metropolitan cities, love marriage is easily accepted. But when the newly married couple return to their native villages, they are not easily accepted. Even killings of such youth and social boycott of families occur. This is a transitional phase.
inheritance of family trade and business, joint family system and caste. With weakening of joint family system in the face of industrialization and urbanization, love marriage is replacing arranged marriage. In fact, arranged marriage is just a sort of trade between business groups and others and is not real. Love marriage is a result of genuine love between man and woman, and this is indeed real.