homogamy
- noun
- /həˈmɒɡəmi/
- Specialized
:
homogamia
- Many couples believe in homogamy, as they often choose partners with similar backgrounds and values.
Examples
-
"Educational homogamy"—having similar educational backgrounds as one's significant other—is likely to occur among college attendees and reduces a couple's probability of divorce (Schwartz, 2010).
Academic text (2015) -
One explanation for the insistence that one's date and mate mirror the prayer values of the respondent is the principle of homogamy, or like selects like.
Academic text (2010) -
The theory of homogamy is suggested as an explanation for the findings.
Academic text (2010) -
Likewise, the view postulating personality similarity, or homogamy, was not affirmed strongly in these findings.
Academic text (1990) -
Accordingly, Carter and Snow's data support a complementarity view of romantic compatibility, rather than a strict homogamy view of compatibility.
Academic text (2004) -
That is, they were not social equals of the Batesons, who therefore insisted that Gregory abide by what sociologists today call status homogamy (Kalmijn 1991).
Academic text (2005) -
According to Gottman, eye-rolling is an example of which of the Four Horsemen? a. criticism b. contempt c. stonewalling d. defensiveness. Partners of similar education, religion, and social class have a. homogamy b. endogamy c. exogamy d. propinquity.
Academic text (2014) -
Sociologists study homogamy to understand how people with similar social characteristics tend to form relationships.
-
The concept of homogamy suggests that individuals are more likely to marry others who share their cultural or educational experiences.
Synonyms
2
5.8
Marriage only between people from the same group, tribe, or religion
1
8.9
People and animals choose mates who are similar in traits like education or color
The custom of marrying only people from your own group, like your tribe or community
To marry only people from the same social group, tribe, or community
How Similar
Surface Forms
Morphology
homogamy = homo + gamy
The social sense ('marrying or pairing with similar people') is directly derivable from 'homo-' (same) + '-gamy' (marriage/union), especially for learners familiar with related terms like 'monogamy' or 'polygamy'.
Etymology
Homogamy comes from homo- 'same' and -gamy 'marriage', so it literally means a 'same marriage'. That's why the word is used for people who marry others with similar social, cultural, or personal traits.