Marriage and Family

Question 1

Is marriage universal?

Answer 1

Yes, except for the Na of China and the Nayar of India

Question 2

Definition of marriage

Answer 2

a socially approved sexually and economic union, that is presumed by the couple and others to be more or less permanent, subsumes reciprocal rights and obligations between two spouses and their kids

Question 3

Exogamy

Answer 3

marrying outside of own group

Question 4

Endogamy

Answer 4

marrying within one group

Question 5

Dowry

Answer 5

transfer of wealth from bride’s family to the bride

Question 6

Bride price

Answer 6

gifts given to the bride’s kin by the groom or his kin

Question 7

Bride service

Answer 7

work performed by the groom for his bride’s family

Question 8

Gift exchange

Answer 8

families of bride and groom exchange gifts

Question 9

Monogamy

Answer 9

marriage between only two individuals at one time

Question 10

Polygamy

Answer 10

marriage between more than two people at one time

Question 11

Polygyny

Answer 11

marriage between one male and several females

Question 12

Polyandry

Answer 12

marriage between one female and several males

Question 13

Groups that practice polyandry

Answer 13

Tibetans, Toda, Sinhalese

Question 14

Groups that practice polygyny

Answer 14

The FLDS church, Masai of Kenya, Wodaabe of Niger (cross cousin marriage)

Question 15

Levirate

Answer 15

a custom whereby a man is obliged to marry his deceased brother’s wife

Question 16

Sororate

Answer 16

a custom whereby a woman is obliged to marry her deceased sister’s husband