Final answer:
Exogamous marriage refers to the practice of marrying outside one's social or cultural group, promoting diversity and based on values like love. Conversely, endogamous marriage encourages unions within the same group, preserving cultural identity. These social norms vary by culture and evolve over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The custom of marrying someone outside the group to which one belongs is referred to as an exogamous marriage. This type of union involves spouses from different social categories and is often grounded in values such as love and compatibility. In contrast, an endogamous marriage encourages individuals to marry within their own social, economic, or cultural group. While exogamy rules favor broader social integration and genetic diversity, endogamy tends to preserve cultural identity and familial unity.
In many societies, rules of exogamy and endogamy are important social norms that guide marital choices. For example, in the United States, it is common for individuals to marry outside of very close kin (exogamy) while often marrying within the same generation and linguistic group (endogamy). These regularities are shaped by both cultural practices and laws, such as prohibitions against incest.
Worldwide, marriage customs and norms vary greatly, reflecting the diverse cultural values and societal structures that exist. Whether it is the acceptance of mixed ethnic unions, changes in traditional marital forms, or the integration of social policies that influence family dynamics, marriage remains a key cultural institution.