Which term describes marriage outside one's own kin group?

Which term describes marriage outside one's own kin group?

• A. Endogamy
• B. Exogamy
• C. Polygyny
• D. Matrilineal

Answer: (B)

Exogamy is the term for marriage outside one’s own kin group. This concept contrasts with endogamy, where individuals marry within their own kin or social group, such as a specific clan, caste, or lineage. Exogamy often serves to form alliances between different groups and can help prevent close-kin inbreeding. The other terms refer to different ideas: polygyny describes a man having multiple wives, not the kinship reach of marriage, and matrilineal describes descent traced through the mother’s line, which is about kinship structure rather than where marriages occur.

Exogamy is the term for marriage outside one’s own kin group. This concept contrasts with endogamy, where individuals marry within their own kin or social group, such as a specific clan, caste, or lineage. Exogamy often serves to form alliances between different groups and can help prevent close-kin inbreeding.

The other terms refer to different ideas: polygyny describes a man having multiple wives, not the kinship reach of marriage, and matrilineal describes descent traced through the mother’s line, which is about kinship structure rather than where marriages occur.