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Cultural Anthropology for Missions

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CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY FOR MISSIONS<br />

M.M.NINAN<br />

CHAPTER SIX<br />

MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND KINSHIP<br />

Man differs from the animal in his sex urge and desires. Animals<br />

become sexually excited during specific periods in their life, in a<br />

state of estrus or heat. The female animal is not excited externally.<br />

As opposed to this, men and women are externally stimulated. Sex<br />

act <strong>for</strong> man is more a psychological act than mere biological act.<br />

While man is stimulated by visual means, women are more excited<br />

by the tactile medium and tenderness. Sex act is there<strong>for</strong>e is more<br />

of a sharing, a physical intimacy arising out of a spiritual need <strong>for</strong><br />

one another.<br />

The continued and sustained marriage is necessary <strong>for</strong> man<br />

because of the need of care <strong>for</strong> the human infant. Human infant<br />

cannot survive nor enter into the society without proper<br />

enculturation. As opposed to most animals human infants are totally<br />

dependent upon their parents <strong>for</strong> their very existence. Maturation<br />

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