Hypergamy and Hypogamy
Hypergamy and hypogamy are sociological terms that describe marriage patterns based on social status and hierarchy.
Hypergamy refers to the practice of marrying someone of higher social status or wealth. This term often highlights a tendency, to seek partners who are better off in terms of social, economic, or educational status. Hypergamy can be driven by various factors, including economic security, social mobility, and cultural norms. Historically, hypergamy has been prevalent in many societies where social and economic stability was closely tied to family alliances and inheritance.
Hypogamy, on the other hand, involves marrying someone of lower social status or wealth. While less common than hypergamy, hypogamy can occur for various reasons, including personal preference, love, or specific cultural and societal norms that value different aspects of a partner beyond their economic or social standing.
Both hypergamy and hypogamy reflect broader societal values and structures, influencing patterns of social mobility and the dynamics of family and marriage. These concepts help in understanding how social hierarchies and economic factors shape personal relationships and marriage choices across different cultures and time periods.
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Hypergamy (colloquially referred to as “dating up” or “marrying up“) is a term used in social science for the act or practice of a person dating or marrying a spouse of higher social status or sexual capital than themselves.
The antonym “hypogamy” refers to the inverse: marrying a person of lower social class or status (colloquially “marrying down“). Both terms were invented in the Indian subcontinent in the 19th century while translating classical Hindu law books, which used the Sanskrit terms anuloma and pratiloma, respectively, for the two concepts.
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