Q.Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(A) Endogamy – Marriage outside the unit
(B) Exogamy – Man having several wives
(C) Polygyny – Marriage inside the unit
(D) Polyandry – Woman having several husbands

Concept: Marriage systems and kinship terminology

We need to match each term with its correct anthropological definition.

Endogamy means marriage within a specific social group, caste, or community — not outside. So (A) is incorrect.

Exogamy means marriage outside one's group or clan — not about multiple spouses. So (B) is incorrect. …

Marriage patterns in anthropology and sociology are classified along two main axes: where you can marry (endogamy vs. exogamy) and how many spouses you can have (monogamy vs. polygamy). Understanding these distinctions is essential for analyzing kinship systems across cultures.

Let me work through each option systematically:

1. Endogamy vs. Exogamy – the "where" rules

Endogamy means marrying within a defined social unit—your caste, tribe, religion, or ethnic group. The prefix "endo-" means "inside." Many traditional societies practice endogamy to preserve group identity, property, or ritual purity.

Exogamy is the opposite: marrying outside your immediate group. The prefix "exo-" means "outside." The incest taboo is a universal form of exogamy—you must marry outside your nuclear family. Many clan systems require you to marry someone from a different clan.

So option (A) reverses the definition—it's incorrect.

2. Polygamy – the "how many" dimension

When one person has multiple spouses simultaneously, that's polygamy. This umbrella term splits into two forms based on gender:

• Polygyny: One man married to multiple women at the same time. The suffix "-gyny" relates to women/wives (think "gynecology"). This is the more common form historically—found in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and among some religious communities.

• Polyandry: One woman married to multiple men simultaneously. The suffix "-andry" relates to men/husbands (think "android" = man-like). This is rare cross-culturally but documented in Tibet, parts of Nepal, and among some groups in India (historically in Kerala, for instance).

3. Evaluating the options …