Endogamy is the forbidding of marriage or sexual relations outside one's social group, often enforced through social pressure, norms, traditions, or even legal restrictions. The social group in question can be based on various factors such as caste, ethnicity, religion, social class, or kinship ties. The practice of endogamy aims to maintain the homogeneity, social boundaries, and cultural integrity of the group by encouraging marriage and reproduction within its confines. It can play a significant role in preserving group identity, values, and social hierarchies across generations. While endogamous practices are prevalent in many societies throughout history, the strictness of these rules and the specific groups to which they apply can vary widely. In modern, more open societies, while formal rules of endogamy may have weakened, informal social pressures and preferences for marrying within similar social backgrounds often persist.