Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

Angela Lockard Reed

Outline 5, September 24, 2003

Sex and Marriage

I           Modern Brides

            A          How do single men and women normally interact in India?

            B          Marriages are usually arranged in India.  What steps are taken to conduct these arrangements?

            C         How did Vinuta feel about her upcoming arranged marriage? 

            D         What were the circumstances surrounding Geetha and Ragu’s “love marriage?”

            E          Compare and contrast Vinuta and Geetha’s marriage ceremonies.

            F          Compare and contrast Vinuta and Geetha’s life shortly after marriage.

II           Marriage:  a relationship between one or men (male or female) and one or more women (female or male) who are recognized by society as having a continuing claim to the right of sexual access to one another.

            A          Why does the definition indicate that the man could actually be female and vice versa?

                        1          Sex ≠ Gender

                        2          Sex

                        3          Gender

                        4          The !Kung (Bushmen) food-foragers

                        5          The Blessed Curse (Chapter 5, Haviland)

                        6          The Nuer of Eastern Africa

            B          Marriage ≠ mating

            C         Reasons for marriage

                        1          Sexual access

                        2          Give the offspring a position in society

                        3          Establish connections between the kin of the husband and the kin of the wife

                                    a          Dowry

                                    b          Bride-price

                                    c          Bride service

                        4          Effects a transformation in status for bride and groom

                        5          The Nayar 

                        6          The Trobrianders

            D         Marriage Types

                        1          Endogamy

                        2          Exogamy

                        3          Monogamy

                        4          Polygamy

                                    a          Polygyny

                                    b          Polyandry

                        5          Serial monogamy

                        6          Levirate

                        7          Sororate