Marriage As A Social Institution Essay Summary
In the essay, the essayist presents his views that marriage is an institution, culturally patterned and integrated into other basic social institutions, such as education, the economy and politics.
Marriage has rules that establish soft boundaries around the relationships and influence the partners in many ways. In the essay, the essayist cits the statement of Emile Durkheim – a French sociologist that marriage matters to men because it provides structure to their lives and organizes their ambitions and also plays a protective role to prevent suicide. Durkheim further believed that marriage benefits men as it restrains their uncontrollable impulses and the marriage forms the state of moral equilibrium from which the men benefits.
Though it can be argued that two people can enjoy a harmonious and happy life without being married because they are free from the rules of marriage and unmarried couples can support each other and enjoy their freedom without any restrictions, however, they have to deal with some problems, such as – lack of commitment from the partner, whom can this couple count on for help in times of need as well as the difficulty to introduce one-another in the society. And contrary to this, marriage makes a relationship intense and the couples help and do activities for each other. They have certain responsibilities for each other, relatives, their children, etc. The couples are expected to fulfill these responsibilities. The relationship is social so they can easily introduce their partner to people which is lacked by cohabiting couples. This is because their relationship is not socially established and not considered as an institution.
The essayist in the essay further views ‘marriage as a form of capital’. He argues marriage is a type of social capital that is in intangible form, unlike physical capital which is in tangible form. However, marriage as a social capital too can facilitate productive activity as do the physical and human capital, as further in-text cited by Coleman, 1988: Social capital is produced in relationships predicted on the belief that obligations will be incurred and repaid. The couples get connected to the new kins and make relationships that are woven with threads of obligations. The couples can get assistance when they are in difficulties. The institution of marriage, therefore, is an individual asset.
The essayist in the text presents the six dimensions of marriage in America. These dimensions comprise of: marriages are entered voluntarily by mature, heterosexual adults with the expectation that husbands will be the principal earners, that both partners will, be sexually faithful, and that married partners will become parents.
Eventually, Stephen Nock at the end of the essay concludes that normative marriage is a form of social control by which behaviours and aspirations are channelled appropriately. It is a force greater than the individuals involved because it represents the collective sentiments of others. And most importantly, the institution of marriage, therefore, is an individual asset.
Marriage As A Social Institution Exercises Solution
Understanding the Text
Answer the following questions.
a.According to the Author, what is marriage?
Ans.: Marriage is a relationship between two spouses defined by legal, moral and conventional assumptions.
b.How is marriage an institution?
Ans.: Marriage is called an institution because it joins together a man and a woman in a special kind of social and legal arrangement that serves several purposes for society.
c.What are the rules that a marriage has ?
Ans: Marriage has rules that originate outside any particular union of two spouses and that establish soft boundaries around the relationship that influence the partners in many ways.
d.Why does marriage matter to men ?
Ans.: Marriage matters to men because it provides structure to their lives and organizes their ambitions.
e.What is one of the central problems in modern society ?
Ans.: One of the central problems in modern society is establishing legitimate boundaries around different desires like well-being, comfort, luxury and prestige.
f. What does social capital consist of ?
Ans.: Social capital consists of extensive networks of individuals linked by bonds of trustworthiness and trust and also embeds individuals in networks that channel valued knowledge and information among all members.
g. What is normative marriage ? Explain.
Ans.: Normative marriage is a form of social control, a way by which behaviours and aspirations are channelled appropriately.
Reference to the context
a.Discuss six dimensions that define normative marriage in America.
Ans.: The six dimensions that define normative marriage in America as presented in the text can be listed as below:
Marriage occurs voluntarily.
Marriage takes place between the matures.
Marriage takes place between the heterosexual adults.
It is expected that the principal earner will be husband.
Both the partners will be sexually faithful.
The married partners will become parents.
b.Do marriages differ according to culture? How is your marriage practice different from marriage in America ?
Ans.: Yes, marriages differ according to culture. Individuals with different cultural backgrounds may encounter opposing values as a significant obstacle in their marriage. This difficulty can manifest itself in their expectations in approaching daily responsibilities, celebrating holidays, pursuing careers, child-rearing duties, and the personal sacrifices they should make for the sake of their marriage.
The marriage practice according to the tradition of the U.S. wedding would take place in a religious building such as a church or cathedral, with a religious leader, termed as ‘a father’ officiating the ceremony. During the ceremony, the bride and groom vow their love and
No commitment for one another with church-provided vows. With the agreement and if objection is found, the couple then exchange rings, which symbolizes their never-ending love and commitment towards one another. Finally, for the first time in public, the couples are pronounced husband and wife. It is then that they share their first kiss as a married couple and thus seal their union. The couple leaves the building, and family and friends throw rice or wheat their way, which symbolizes fertility.
However talking about the marriage custom in Nepal, the marriage ceremony usually takes place at the house of the bride and then followed at the house of the groom. Some marriages even take place at religious sites such as temples. There are a number of religious and cultural functions to be performed as directed by a Hindu priest called ‘Pandit’ or ‘Pujari – no matter the marriage is taking place in the house or in the temple. The bridegroom along with family members, friends, relatives and neighbours, often termed as ‘janti’ visits the house of the bride, performs religious functions together with the bride’s family and relatives. The ritual is performed by revolving around the sacred fire seven times with the knot tied between the couples indicating the seven lives of togetherness. The marriage ritual is completed when the groom puts sindur (red vermillion powder) on the bride’s head and potey or tihlari (a holy necklace) around the neck. After this, the bride’s father along with other relatives washes the feet of the wedded couple and family members will bless them with tika on the forehead and gifts. Finally, the married couple along with the Janti departs from the bride’s house dancing and celebrating.
Reference beyond the text
a.Write an essay on the marriage practice in your own culture.
Marriage Practice in Our Culture
In my culture, the arranged marriage based on Hindu rituals is practised by most people. In my culture, once the son or daughter comes at the age of marriage, the parents look for the appropriate groom or bride through relatives or people they know and it can be often facilitated by a middle man called ‘Lami’ in Nepali. And, if the suitable groom or bride is found, then the parents go to the astrologers or priests, often termed as ‘Pandit’ in my culture in order to consult and check and confirm whether the bride and the groom are made for each other or not. For this purpose, both the bride and the groom’s star signs and zodiacs are matched. If everything goes fine, the weddings start with the determination of the precise date set by the astrologers. They can be held only during certain auspicious seasons and tithis (time) which fall from. Weddings embrace the rich cultural tradition stretching over several days. The ceremony starts after having an engagement often termed as Tika-tala, when the bride and groom exchange rings and garland and promise that they will be loyal to marriage.
On the day of marriage, the groom will go to the bride’s home with his family, friends and relatives (who are termed as Janti in Nepali culture). The janti is led by the group of women carrying trays with foods and gifts (called ‘Saipata’) for the bride’s family. There is a the groom and the group of people performing dance. On the arrival of Janti at the bride’s traditional music band of Nepal played in marriage called ‘Panche Baja’. Behind them, are house, they are welcomed by the parents and relatives of the bride. The Saipata is handed to the bride’s family and Janti is welcomed with the feast called Janti Bhoj’ (marriage party). The groom is taken to Jaggey’ or ‘Mandap’ (the place to perform the wedding ritual). After this, the wedding ceremony starts with the Swayambar where the bride and the groom not dry thus indicating the relationship will never break or dry. exchange their rings and garland made of doobo. Doobo is a certain type of grass that does
The most important person at the wedding ceremony is ‘Pandit’ (priest). The Pandit performs the marriage ceremony by chanting the mantras (religious hymns) through the holy book. The marriage ceremony is interesting due to the different rituals performed in front of the sacred fire. There are numerous instructions for the couples while performing the ceremony guided by the Pandit. The ritual is performed by revolving around the sacred fire for seven times with the knot tied between the couples indicating the seven lives of togetherness. The marriage ritual is completed when the groom puts sindur (red vermillion powder) on the bride’s head and potey or Tihlari (a holy necklace) around the neck. Sindur and potey have a great significance for married women in Nepal. After this, the bride’s father along with other relatives washes the feet of the wedded couple and family members will bless them with tika on the forehead and gifts.
The groom at his wedding ceremony wears Daura Suruwal with Dhaka Topi – considered as the national dress of Nepal and the bride wears heavy gold jewellery and red sari and blouse and a sparkling ghumto (veil) that covers her face. The most touching scene is observed during ‘Kanyadaan’ when the bride’s parents perform the ritual of handling the responsibility of their daughter to the groom. And, at last, the laughter and happiness of marriage turn into an emotional departure as the shedding of tears begin as the farewell ritual starts. Finally, the married couple along with the Janti departs from the bride’s house dancing and celebrating with Panche Baja.
b.Is marriage a social institution? Discuss.
Ans.: Marriage is a formal union and social and legal contract between two individuals that unites their lives legally, economically and emotionally. In my opinion, marriage is a social institution – a universal social institution. Marriage is called an institution because it joins together a man and a woman in a special kind of social and legal arrangement that serves several purposes for society. Marriage is an institution, culturally patterned and integrated into other basic social institutions, such as education, the economy and politics. Marriage has rules that establish soft boundaries around the relationships and influence the partners in many ways Any institution requires some rules and regulations to be abided by and a person who is part of such an institution has to carry out some of the responsibilities. So is the case with marriage and the married couples and the married couples have some responsibilities and duties to be endowed. As intuition’ provides economic and security-related benefits, so does the marriage even if the capital provided by marriage is in the form of social capital. However, we cannot undermine the importance of social security since this type of security can facilitate productive activity and promotes security throughout life.
In addition to this, employees as part of the institution have to dedicate their time and effort to the institution, so have to be done by the couples in order to maintain their marriage and maintained well. In addition to this, marriage is provided status, acceptance and social security by the society the couples live in. Hence, we can argue that marriage is a social institution.