A social institution that controls and regulates the union of two people relationship:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Explanation

Marriage is the specific social institution designed to approve, control, and regulate the union between individuals.
According to sociologists Horton and Hunt, marriage is the 'approved social pattern whereby two or more persons establish a family.'.
It consists of the rules, regulations, rights, and duties that define the relationship between spouses.
This institution provides the foundation for family, procreation, inheritance, and the upbringing of children within a structured, socially-recognized framework.

Option A: Family is the social unit that is typically formed as a result of marriage. It is the outcome of the union, not the institution that regulates the union itself.
Option B: Religion is a social institution focused on spiritual beliefs, faith, and moral values. While it often sanctifies and influences marriage, it is not the universal institution that regulates all unions, as secular marriages also exist.
Option D: A community is a broad group of people sharing a common location or interest. It is the social environment where institutions operate, rather than the specific institution that regulates individual unions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definition of Marriage as a Social Institution as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding social institutions like marriage and family is crucial for community health nurses to appreciate the social structures influencing a patient's life, support systems, and health decisions.
A patient's marital status, family structure, and community ties are key social determinants of health that can impact their access to care, adherence to treatment, and overall well-being.
What if? - If a question asked for the primary institution for transmitting cultural norms and values to the next generation, the answer would be Family, as its key function is socialization.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'social institution', 'controls and regulates', and 'union of two people'.
The question is asking for the specific institution whose primary function is to govern the relationship between partners.
Evaluate each option based on this specific function.
Family is the result of such a union, not the regulator of it.
Religion can be involved but is not the universal regulator; secular marriage exists.
Community is the broad social setting, not the specific regulatory body.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Applied Sociology for Nurses TK Indrani pp. 158-160, 209-211

Practise the full IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.