🗿Intro to Cultural Anthropology Unit 7 – Marriage and Sexuality

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Marriage refers to a socially or ritually recognized union between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, their children, and their in-laws
• Monogamy involves the marriage of two individuals exclusively
  • Serial monogamy is the practice of engaging in successive monogamous relationships over a lifetime
• Polygamy is a marriage that includes more than two partners
  • Polygyny refers to a man being married to more than one woman at the same time
  • Polyandry involves a woman being married to more than one man simultaneously
• Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific social group, caste, or ethnic group
• Exogamy involves marrying outside of one's social group, caste, or ethnic group
• Kinship encompasses the culturally defined relationships between individuals who are commonly thought of as having family ties

Cultural Variations in Marriage

• Marriage practices vary widely across cultures and are influenced by factors such as religion, social norms, and economic conditions
• In some societies, arranged marriages are common, where family members or matchmakers play a significant role in selecting spouses
• Bridewealth, also known as bride price, is a payment made by the groom or his family to the bride's family in some cultures
• Dowry, on the other hand, is a transfer of parental property, gifts, or money at the marriage of a daughter
• Some cultures practice levirate marriage, where a widow is required to marry her deceased husband's brother
• Sororate marriage involves a man marrying his wife's sister, usually after the wife has died or proven infertile
• Ghost marriage is a practice in some societies where a deceased individual is married to a living person

Types of Marriage Systems

• Monogamous marriages involve the union of two individuals and are the most common form of marriage worldwide
• Polygamous marriages allow for multiple spouses and can take the form of polygyny or polyandry
  • Polygyny is more common than polyandry and is often associated with societies that have a high male mortality rate or a skewed sex ratio
• Group marriages involve multiple husbands and wives in a single family unit, though this practice is rare
• Same-sex marriages are legally recognized in some countries and cultures, while others prohibit or stigmatize such unions
• Common-law marriages are recognized in some jurisdictions and are based on the couple living together for a specified period and presenting themselves as married
• Civil unions or domestic partnerships provide some legal recognition and benefits to couples, particularly for same-sex couples in areas where marriage is not legally available

Sexuality Across Cultures

• Attitudes towards sexuality and sexual practices vary significantly across cultures
• Some societies have more permissive attitudes towards premarital sex, while others strongly discourage or prohibit it
• The concept of sexual orientation, including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality, is understood and accepted differently across cultures
• Some cultures have recognized and accepted third gender or non-binary gender identities, such as the hijras in India or the fa'afafine in Samoa
• Taboos surrounding sexual practices, such as incest or adultery, are common in many societies, though the specific definitions and consequences vary
• The regulation of sexual behavior through social norms, laws, and religious doctrines is a common feature across cultures

Gender Roles and Expectations

• Gender roles are the social and behavioral norms that are considered appropriate for individuals based on their perceived sex or gender identity
• In many societies, gender roles are closely tied to the division of labor, with men and women being assigned different tasks and responsibilities
  • For example, in some cultures, women are primarily responsible for child-rearing and household duties, while men are expected to provide financially for the family
• Gender expectations can vary significantly across cultures and may change over time as societies evolve
• Some cultures have strict gender hierarchies, where men are considered superior to women and have more power and authority
• Gender inequalities can manifest in various forms, such as unequal access to education, employment opportunities, and political representation
• The degree to which individuals are expected to conform to traditional gender roles varies across cultures, with some societies allowing for more flexibility and individual expression

Kinship and Family Structures

• Kinship systems define the social relationships between individuals in a culture and often determine the rights and obligations of family members
• Nuclear families, consisting of parents and their children, are common in many societies, but extended family structures are also prevalent
  • Extended families may include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins living in the same household or in close proximity
• Patrilineal kinship systems trace descent through the father's lineage, while matrilineal systems trace descent through the mother's lineage
• In some cultures, kinship ties are fictive, meaning they are based on social rather than biological relationships
  • Examples of fictive kinship include godparents, adoptive families, and close friends who are considered family
• The role of kinship in marriage varies across cultures, with some societies preferring or requiring individuals to marry within their kinship group (endogamy) and others encouraging marriage outside the group (exogamy)

Rituals and Ceremonies

• Marriage rituals and ceremonies serve to publicly acknowledge and celebrate the union of two individuals
• Wedding ceremonies often incorporate cultural and religious elements specific to the couple's background
  • For example, in Hindu weddings, the bride and groom may take seven steps around a sacred fire, with each step representing a vow or promise to one another
• Rites of passage, such as puberty rituals or coming-of-age ceremonies, often mark the transition from childhood to adulthood and may be linked to marriage eligibility
• Some cultures have specific rituals or ceremonies associated with the consummation of marriage, such as the bedding ceremony in medieval Europe
• Divorce rituals or ceremonies may also be present in some societies, signifying the end of a marriage and the dissolution of the couple's social and legal ties

Modern Challenges and Changes

• Globalization and changing social norms have led to shifts in marriage and family structures worldwide
• The increasing acceptance of same-sex marriages and partnerships has challenged traditional definitions of marriage in many societies
• Rising rates of divorce and single parenthood have led to more diverse family structures and a reevaluation of gender roles within households
• The prevalence of cohabitation and delaying marriage has increased in many countries, particularly among younger generations
• Advances in reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization and surrogacy, have expanded the possibilities for family formation and raised new ethical questions
• Economic and social factors, such as urbanization, women's increasing participation in the workforce, and changing gender norms, have also impacted marriage and family dynamics