EXOGAMY Meaning and
Definition
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Exogamy is a social practice or custom observed in many cultures and societies, which involves the requirement or norm that individuals must marry someone from a different group or social unit. Specifically, it refers to the practice of marrying outside of one's own social group, such as clan, tribe, caste, or family. This cultural rule promotes the union of people who are not closely related or already interconnected through their kinship ties.
The principle of exogamy is rooted in the preference for diversity, sustaining the exchange of individuals between different social groups. By marrying outside of one's own group, exogamy serves to strengthen social connections, alliances, and networks among different clans, tribes, or families. It acts as a mechanism to promote social cohesion, cooperation, and unity among different social units.
Exogamy also has important implications for the genetic diversity and health of populations. It prevents inbreeding and reduces the risk of genetic disorders that can occur when individuals closely related to each other procreate. This practice helps to maintain a healthy and varied gene pool by ensuring that marriages occur between genetically distant individuals.
In summary, exogamy is a cultural practice where individuals are expected or required to marry outside their social group, such as clan, tribe, caste, or family. It promotes diversity, social connections, and genetic health within a population.
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Reproduction by conjugation of two unrelated cells.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EXOGAMY
Etymology of EXOGAMY
The word "exogamy" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "exo" meaning "outside" or "external", and "gamos" meaning "marriage" or "union". The term was coined in the late 19th century by Sir James George Frazer, a Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist, in his famous work "The Golden Bough". Exogamy refers to the practice of marrying someone outside of one's own social group, clan, or community, often with the intention of reinforcing social ties or avoiding inbreeding.
Similar spelling words for EXOGAMY
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