Final answer:
Cross-cousin marriage in South India is part of a cultural preference for maintaining family ties and alliances. Marital practices and preferences vary globally and are shaped by traditional, legal, and social factors including the Hindu Marriage Act which influences marriage dynamics in India.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practice of cross-cousin marriage is indeed preferred in some regions of South India, aligning with cultural and social norms that dictate marital partnerships. Marriage systems vary throughout the world, and in India, these practices are often influenced by cultural traditions, religious stipulations, and legal frameworks such as the Hindu Marriage Act. In South India, cross-cousin marriage is a way to strengthen family ties and maintain alliances within communities. These marriages are sometimes arranged, reflecting a cultural value placed on familial relationships and alliances over individual romantic choice. This form of marriage fits within a broader context where marital customs can take many forms, from marrying within one's own caste or social class, to contemporary practices where individuals seek partners that share cultural values, assisted by marriage brokers or online matchmaking services.