"Changing dynamics of marriage as an institution – an examination of normativity into translation"

Abstract

According to Forst (2018), “humans are justificatory beings”. They revolve around justifications because every narrative is spun out of the validation of rules or the invalidation of regulations. Given the sudden disruption caused by the pandemic situation, the framework of legacy in general and legality in particular has got metamorphosed. Marriage as an institution has witnessed leaps and bounds of faith; especially in the past decade, there has been an exponential change with regard to ‘the acceptable age to marry’, ‘gender norms’, and ‘child rearing practices’. This research is therefore sought to analyse the changing dynamics of marriage as an institution in the Indian context and, examine the transitional as well as the translational aspects of norms related to premarriage, during-marriage, and post-marriage. The study will involve an examination of ethical and moral dilemmas entrenched in the psyche of the Indian society in dealing with the laws related to cohabitation of two individuals by mutual consent. The researchers will also endeavour to suggest alternate evolving practices relating to marriage as an institution with an aim to foster harmony in the social milieu.