Do you think that marriage as a sacrament is losing its relevance in contemporary India? Present a sociological overview.

Marriage losing its sacrament in Contemporary India

→ Emergence of live-in relationships, emerged as alternatives to the marriage institution.

→ Increase in inter-caste, inter-religious marriages goes against the age-old principles of caste endogamy and religious endogamy.

→ Emergence of "Double Income - No kids" (DINK) families removed the aspect of progeny from marriage.

→ Increase in divorce rates is effecting the stability of marriage.

→ Usage of alcohol and non-vegetarian food as part of pre-wedding celebrations goes against vedic principles of marriage.

→ Due to emergence of registration based marriage, marriages became de-ritualised.

→ New generation is just seeing marriage as a companionship without fulfilling its objectives.

Despite challenges, marriage as an institution still hold relevance in the contemporary society.

Relevance of marriage in the contemporary society

→ Caste based matrimonial sites are still promoting marriage on the lines of caste-endogamy. → In Hindu marriages, still the rituals in front of Agni along with Vedic chanting is practised. → Still values of Dharma (duties), Rati (sex gratification), praja (procreation) are promoted through legal means. [Ex] Restitution of conjugal rights by courts.

Sociological perspectives

→ According to M.N Srinivas, institutional, ideological and technological westernisation lead to changes in marriage.

→ Marxists like A.R. Desai blames change in mode of production and capitalism to increase divorce rates.

→ Feminist thinkers like Sylvia Walby argues that women empowerment will lead to changes in marriage as they resist the exploitation.