The tendency to marry a person who has a similar background is given the term, H^m^gamy, by sociologists. What Sociologists call H^m^gamy is referred to as Assortative Mating by Economists.
Scientists have figured out the high likeliness of people picking their lifetime partners based on the similar qualities shared. This is called H^m^gamy but the word may give a different meaning in your dictionary.
While the Oxford dictionary gives the definition by sociologists, some dictionaries may not. In some dictionaries, H^m^gamy refers to Inbreeding. Inbreeding refers to the act of mating with a member of the family. This can also be called Incest and is viewed as a filthy act.
The definition of H^m^gamy by Sociologists is very different so it may be important to make it clear when using the word.
As mentioned earlier, Scientists believe people tend to pick partners that share similar characteristics and these characteristics include backgrounds and traits. This is proven by the attraction a person can feel toward another person with similar traits.
There are also cases where marriage to someone from a similar background or group is mandatory. This is a practice that is not generally supported but exists in some cultures that disapprove of marriage to foreigners or outsiders. This practice is referred to as Endogamy.
What Do Sociologists Call Marriage To Someone From A Different Social Background?
Marriage to a person from a different background is called Heterogamy by Sociologists. The relationship between the suffixes H^mo and Hetero is known by many so you may have guessed this answer.
There are several words for a marriage to someone from a different background. If you do a Google search, this word may not be the first thing you see.
While Heterogamy is what Sociologists choose to call it, this kind of marriage is widely known as intermarriage.
Intermarriage is the union or marriage between two people of different racial groups, ethnic groups, or religious groups. It can also be called Mixed Marriage. The word can also be used in a more centralized manner.
An example is Intercultural which refers to a marriage between two people of different cultures. Another example is Interethnic marriage which refers to a marriage between two people of different ethnicity.
There is also interreligious marriage and interracial marriage. Their meanings are very clear.
Just like the case of Endogamy where marriage to someone of similar background is made mandatory, there are also cases where marriage to someone of a different background is mandatory.
This practice hasn’t faced as much aversion as Endogamy but it is not supported either. In cultures where this practice is mandated, they tend to disapprove of marriages within the group and some even go to extreme lengths to punish people who try to do it secretly. This practice is called Exogamy.
Propinquity Causes Marital H^m^gamy: Meaning
The saying PROPINQUITY CAUSES MARITAL H^MOGAMY means nearness can cause a marriage to someone of a similar background. You may wonder how true this is. Propinquity cannot be said to be a cause of H^m^gamy.
This is because romantic feelings don’t just develop for the nearest person to you. If that were the case, incest would be the order of the day and people would start to have two or more lovers due to nearness to many people of the opposite gender.
Many people naturally practice H^m^gamy due to similarities in opinions, beliefs, characters, experiences, and even proximity. At times, it is very comfortable for people to find partners that have similar characteristics to them.
This is very simple to understand because being with someone who is just like you makes you have less to explain. You won’t be trying to figure out your partner all the time and you get to be with a person who always understands you and the things you do.
This is where the saying is right. While Propinquity may not necessarily lead to marriage, it can spark a comfortable attraction in two people and bring them together. The attraction can grow to become marriage while it may just become a close friendship.
Propinquity, in the saying above, refers to the physical closeness between two people.
What Do Sociologists Ask To Be Considered Regarding Health?
- Definition of Health
- Definition of Illness
Sociologists ask that we consider how social forces help in shaping the institution of health and illness and our embodied experiences of both.
The sociology of health and illness examines the connection between society and health. Sociologists ask that attention be paid to how social life impacts morbidity and mortality rates.
We should also pay attention to how morbidity and mortality rates can have an impact on society.
Definition of Health
Sociological ideas address the definition of health as a state of complete well-being. This covers the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of a person.
However, Sociologists emphasize the importance of being more than just free of diseases. According to Sociologists, a healthy body is dependent on a healthy environment and a stable mind.
Definition of Illness
Illness can be defined as a person’s experience of physical or mental feelings that he or she wants to escape from. According to Sociologists, Illness is a subjective term and may not mean the presence of an ailment in a person.
All of these sociological ideas are already demonstrated in society. Illness can take several forms, including emotional, mental, physical, and social.
An emotional illness can refer to a feeling of heartbreak. While this doesn’t indicate a disease, a person’s emotional health is being tampered with. This could affect the person’s social relationships.
Mental illness could be the one we already know as insanity. It could also refer to mental stress. Getting stressed mentally may not indicate disease. However, a person can get harmed and social relationships are affected.
Physical illness could refer to actual diseases. It could also refer to natural body weakness, preventing a person from doing things that he/she would otherwise do.
Social illness could refer to immorality in society. In this case, social relationships are affected and the joy of perfect health can be interrupted, even without a disease.
