The key difference between endogamy and homogamy is that endogamy strictly relies on marriage based on a specific ethnic group or a religious group, while homogamy relies on marriage based on socioeconomic background.
Marriage plays a key role in the survival of a particular population. Therefore, populations and individuals follow different ideologies that decide their marriage. However, good social practices such as respect, care and equality play key factors in a successful marriage despite the traditional practices of marriage.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Endogamy
3. What is Homogamy
4. Similarities Between Endogamy and Homogamy
5. Side by Side Comparison – Endogamy vs Homogamy in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Endogamy?
Endogamy is the practice of marriage where two individuals of a specific social group, caste or ethnic group unite. These individuals disregard close personal relationships for marriage. Endogamy is common in culture and ethnic groups. However, in certain instances, endogamous marriages require marital religious conversions as well. But, to fulfil the requirements of endogamy, the religious conversion should be accepted. Endogamy primarily serves the requirement of self-segregation. It prevents interactions with other surrounding populations. However, this concept is important for minority groups to facilitate their expansion.
Figure 01: Endogamy
In terms of genetic transformation, the concept of endogamy may result in the transfer of genetic disorders within a particular ethnic group; thus, variations in genetic transformations are not facilitated. It also ensures that the conservation of genetic constitution takes place within the community. Therefore, in an endogamous population, the effect of genetic diseases are high; however, the spread of genetic diseases turns out to be low.
In plants, endogamy is the process where the pollen deposits on the stigma of a different flower of the same plant.
What is Homogamy?
Homogamy refers to a marriage between two individuals of the same cultural backgrounds. They do not necessarily have to be of the same ethnic group or religious group. Therefore, in homogamy, considerations such as socioeconomic status, education and associations play a key role. However, within a homogamous marriage, endogamy is also visible as two individuals with the same cultural backgrounds unite on the basis of their ethnicity and religion.
Aspects such as age, education, economic backgrounds and social standards play a key role in deciding homogamy between two individuals. Individuals pay more attention to practical aspects rather than the conventional ideologies in homogamy.
Genetic variations in homogamy is a positive result since the passing on the hereditary factors shows a great variation. It, however, may stand as a disadvantage for genetic disorders as the spread of the genetic disorders will be greater in homogamy in comparison to endogamy.
In plants, homogamy is another type of self-fertilization. In homogamous plants, the pollen deposition takes place on the stigma of the same flower.
What are the Similarities Between Endogamy and Homogamy?
- Both are social concepts based on the union of two individuals.
- In plants, both are forms of self-fertilization.
What is the Difference Between Endogamy and Homogamy?
Endogamy is the practice of marriage where two individuals of a specific social group, caste or ethnic group unite. On the other hand, homogamy refers to a marriage union between two individuals of the same cultural backgrounds. So, this is the key difference between endogamy and homogamy.
The below infographic represents more information regarding the difference between endogamy and homogamy.
Summary – Endogamy vs Homogamy
Endogamy and homogamy refer to two forms of marriage. Endogamy strictly considers marriage within a specific ethnic group or a religious group. In contrast, homogamy gives more importance to the union between two individuals of the same socioeconomic background, social standards and education. Therefore, this is the key difference between endogamy and homogamy.
Reference:
1. “Endogamy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 July 2019, Available here.
2. “Homogamy (Sociology).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Jan. 2019, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Hindu Marriage” By Ravindraboopathi – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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