Multiple Predictors of Contribution by Women to Agriculture

Abstract

Multiple regression was used to test the hypothesis that several cultural customs are each separately associated with contribution by women to agriculture. The test was applied to a world sample of 108 societies where agriculture is the principal source of food. Six predictors of female contribution to agriculture are residence not patrilocal, polygynous marriage, no written language, use of money, low density of population, and no milk obtained from domestic animals. Women are more likely to contribute to agriculture in societies where they have a public rather than secluded role, where their work is necessary to obtain sufficient food, where their work is valuable for polygynous husbands, or where their work does not require the superior mobility and strength of men. Causes and effects of contribution by women to agriculture cannot be determined because the associated cultural customs adjust to each other during many generations.