This is a marriage between
individuals who are, in some culturally important way, similar to
each other. Homogamy may be based on socioeconomic status, class,
gender, ethnicity, or religion. Concerning age homogamy, there is
an old maxim, "Never date anyone under half your age plus seven."
This rule of thumb is sometimes used to judge whether the age
differences in potential intimate relationships are socially
acceptable within a Western-oriented culture. Homogamy can also
refer to the socialization customs of a particular group; such
that people who are similar in religion, class, gender, or culture
tend to socialize with one another.
Hypergamy, or marrying up is the practice of marrying someone
wealthier, or of higher caste or status than oneself. The term is
not gender specific, but it is generally used by social scientists
to refer to women marrying higher-status men, rather than to men
marrying higher-status women.
Hypogamy typically refers to instances of marrying a person of
lower social class or status. So, this hypergamist and
hypogamist got married and lived happily ever after.