Physiological readiness: is one of the basic requirements of marriage. It requires individuals to acquire fully matured reproductive organs and system, be potent, virile / fertile and free from congenital and venereal diseases.
Fully matured reproductive organs and system: Menarche (first menstruation) in girls and first ejaculation in boys indicates having attained fully matured reproductive organs and system.
Potency: Itrefers to sexual fitness or the physical ability of the individual to enter into sexual relationship. This ability mainly relates to the man’s ability to attain and maintain erection, although women too, may suffer from physical or emotional disability that affect their sexual fitness. Study on sexual behaviour reveal that a man is fairly well aware of the degree of his sexual adequacy, as practically all men have experienced some form of sexual activity which usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
Virility and fertility: It is also referred to as manhood and womanhood which relates to ability of a person to procreate. It is not necessary that a man who is highly potent is virile or vice versa i.e., a virile person to be sexually potent. Virility of men can be known before marriage by semen test where a fairly fresh specimen of man’s semen fluid is obtained and examined microscopically. The sperm count, the structure and physical health of the sperm can be known by this method. It is also possible to estimate to some extent the fertility of women, but there is no method available as yet to establish with certainty whether the couples will be fertile together. However, by medical examination the medical doctors can often determine whether any condition is present which might make procreation difficult or impossible.
Health: By health we imply the eugenics or genetic health as well general health of the individuals who wish to enter into marriage. Good health is desirable in marriage, yet perfect health is not essential for marriage. What is important is the eugenics fitness, which is always considered while selecting mates. The man and woman, who marry, naturally expect that their children be well-born with sound mind and body. This directly relates to the genetic and physical health of the couple. Physiologically, absence of venereal diseases like gonorrhoea, syphilis, AIDS, genetically disorders like sickle anaemia etc. and chronic health condition facilitate marriage.
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