Question: Who said this: “marriage is rooted in the family rather than the family in marriage”.
- J. F. Mchennan
- L. H. Morgan
- Westermarck
- Evans Pritchard
Answer: (3)The statement “marriage is rooted in the family rather than the family in marriage” is attributed to Edvard Westermarck, a Finnish anthropologist and sociologist. Westermarck’s ideas, particularly on the origins of marriage and family, have had a significant impact on the field of anthropology. The assertion challenges prevailing theories of primitive promiscuity and ancient group marriage, proposing instead that monogamy was the original form of marriage.
Edvard Westermarck, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, criticized the prevalent theories of primitive promiscuity and ancient group marriage that were influential in his time. These theories suggested that early human societies were characterized by promiscuous mating or group marriages.
In contrast to the prevailing theories, Westermarck argued that monogamy was the original and natural form of marriage. He rejected the notion that early humans lived in promiscuity and proposed that monogamous relationships, particularly within nuclear families, were the foundational units from which more complex social structures emerged.
Westermarck contended that the nuclear family, akin to the family structure observed among anthropoid apes, was the primary and universal unit from which human societies developed. The nuclear family, consisting of a pair of parents and their offspring, was, according to Westermarck, the fundamental building block of human social organization.
The assertion that “marriage is rooted in the family rather than the family in marriage” encapsulates Westermarck’s view that marriage, as a social institution, emerged from the pre-existing structure of the family. In other words, the family unit, with its inherent social and caregiving functions, predates and gives rise to the institution of marriage.
Westermarck’s perspective is grounded in the concept of natural selection. He proposed that the family, particularly the nuclear family structure, is necessary for the survival of certain species due to the need for parental protection. According to this view, the male’s inclination to stay with the female and their offspring is driven by instincts acquired through the process of natural selection.
Westermarck’s ideas align with an evolutionary perspective, suggesting that certain social structures, including the family and marriage, have evolved as adaptive responses to the challenges of survival and reproduction. The concept of monogamy, rooted in the family unit, is seen as an evolutionary strategy that enhances the chances of offspring survival.
Westermarck’s contributions have significantly influenced the field of anthropology, challenging prevailing ideas and offering an alternative framework for understanding the origins of marriage and family. His emphasis on the nuclear family as a universal unit has sparked debates and further research in anthropology and related disciplines.
While Westermarck’s ideas have been influential, they are not without criticism. Some scholars have questioned the universal applicability of the nuclear family model and raised concerns about the potential cultural biases inherent in applying evolutionary perspectives to diverse societies. In conclusion, the statement “marriage is rooted in the family rather than the family in marriage” reflects Edvard Westermarck’s perspective on the origins of marriage and family. His rejection of theories of primitive promiscuity and group marriage, in favor of monogamy as the original form of marriage, challenged the prevailing ideas of his time. Westermarck’s emphasis on the nuclear family as the universal unit and the assertion that marriage emerged from the pre-existing structure of the family have contributed to the evolution of anthropological thought on kinship, marriage, and social organization. His ideas, grounded in the principles of natural selection and parental protection, continue to shape discussions within the field of anthropology and offer insights into the complex interplay between social structures and evolutionary processes. |
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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