Marital Status and Women Empowerment in India

Institution of marriage is witnessed in every type of society around the world. It can be perceived as a legal contract, a religious rite and a social practice that varies by legal jurisdiction, religious doctrine and culture [1]. Irrespective to the type and culture, main objective of this social practice is to carry over traditional values, economic wealth and resources across generations. Additionally, it creates new Kinship bond, social network, accumulation of human labour etc. From time immemorial, male dominated orthodox Indian society considers marriage as one of the most important social events. Since Vedic age, marriage is considered as a most sacred relationship in India and is regarded as an obligatory duty and ‘Samskara’ (sacrament) for every Indian to lead a life of householder unless one decided to take a life of ‘Sanyashi’ (renouncer), Sighania [2]. Reasons behind such dictum may be to protect its tradition, culture as well as its patrilineal line of inheritance. In later period repeated invasions by outsiders push back the society into great danger, particularly, the life of women become less secured during that period. In this circumstance, parents find marriage as only option to provide safe life to their daughters indicating the increasing importance of marriage in Indian society. Thus, marriage in India is regarded as one of the mandatory social events, particularly for the women to live a meaningful life. Marriage traditionally has become virtually essential for every woman; therefore, lone women1 are not much accepted form in Indian society. Consequently, they are more or less subject to insolence in the society. Among lone