Endogamous marriages

Definition

Endogamous marriages are unions in which partners are selected from within a specific social group, community, caste, or ethnicity to maintain the cultural continuity and social boundaries of that group. These marriages reinforce social stratification by encouraging alliances and relationships within the same socio-economic or cultural background.

Related terms

Social Stratification:

The categorization of people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power.

Caste System:

A form of social stratification where people's status is determined by birth and remains fixed for their lifetime, often associated with Hindu society but not exclusive to it.

Ethnicity:

A shared cultural heritage or nationality that connects individuals through common languages, traditions, behaviors, and beliefs