FORMS OF MATE SELECTION

Mate Selection refers to the process of choosing of partner to form a marriage bond or long-term
marriage-like relationship. There are several factors that are considered in mate selection such as
their class, ethnic, status, religion, race, etc.

Some of these forms of mate selection include:

1. Endogamy – A marriage practice of selecting someone within a specific social group,
caste group or ethnic group which they belong to. It is also called as the in-marriage since
people within the group are not allowed to marry someone who does not belong to their
group. Endogamy is common in many cultures and ethnic groups.

2. Exogamy – A marriage practice whereas members from a certain group are free to
choose their mates regardless of their social or ethnic group, religion or race.

3. Hypergamy – A marriage between a high class man and low class woman in society.

4. Hypogamy – A marriage between a high class woman and a low class man.

5. Homogamy – Mate selection based on similar characteristic between couple such as;
educational status, religion, social status and race affiliation.