People’s Attitude towards Inter-caste Marriage: A Study of Jammu District

Abstract

Caste endogamy is a traditional norm for marriage in India. Marriage within caste is the usual and welcome practice. Inter-caste marriage is seen deviant as it breaks the traditional norm of society. Tragic incidences of inter-caste marriage can be easily heard and witnessed in the media. The present paper aims at examining the attitude of people towards inter-caste marriages in the vicinity of Jammu district. Objective of the study was to find the importance of long rooted caste amongst the people, their attitude and intensions towards the inter-caste relations specifically inter-caste marriages. For the purpose a sample size of 250 households was taken. Simple random sampling technique is used. Coding, data processing and finally tabulation was done to come at conclusions. The study found that the magnitude of such marital alliances is higher and people from different caste groups seem to have become tolerant to such marital unions. People viewed, as opposed to their earlier reactions, inter-caste marriages as positive. Individual freedom, coeducation, economic independence, are some of the reasons that have reinforced inter-caste marriages in society.