Conjugal Union Research Articles

A Long-Term Solution to the AFDC Problem: Prevention of Unwanted Pregnancy

Using data collected from a probability sample of 315 AFDC women in Chicago, this study seeks to throw light on the nature of the conjugal unions which produced the first pregnancy and which were instrumental in bringing the women to seek AFDC benefits. The facts uncovered do not conform to any of the current theories about marital dissolution among the poor. A new hypothesis-that these unions originated in a social and interpersonal context which sociological theory would predict to be unstable unions-is proposed. Central to this hypothesis is the finding that in a high proportion of cases the pregnancy was unwanted by the father, the mother, or both.

Conjugal Unions among Rural Haitian Women

The nature and stability of conjugal unions among 425 rural Haitian women were investigated to determine the potential impact of family formation patterns on fertility. Births deaths migrations and union formations were recorded for a four-year interval. Interviews were conducted to corroborate this information and to explore related topics. Findings reflect relative instability of conjugal unions associated with a pattern of serial union formation. Considerable time spent by women out of active union combined with relatively late age at first entry into union appear to be important dampers on fertility in this population. (authors)

Conjugal Patterns in Ghana*

L'étude des types d'unions conjugales est de grande importance en sociologie et en démographic. Dans une communication dont la portée est surtout démographique, l'auteur examine les types d'alliances en tant que sources de relations sexuelles, lesquelles affectent les taux de natalité dans une société où l'on ne pratique pas le contrôle des naissances. L'enquête porte sur tous les types d'alliances et l'on y met surtout en lumiète l'écart entre les deux types les plus répandus: le mariage coutumier et l'union ne s'appuyant que sur le consentement des partenaires. On y décrit le tau de chaque type d'union, les façons de mettre fin à une alliance et la polygamie. L'auteur établit une association entre le type d'alliance, d'une part, et différents taux de natalité et différentes attitudes à l'endroit de la taille de la famille, d'autre part.

La justice coutumiere chez les Bakwa Luntu

SUMMARY Customary law of the Bakwa Luntu The information recorded in the present study refers to the Bena Kalombo, a sub‐division of the Bana ba I.usobe, which is the most important tribe and probably also the most typical of this nation. Although of Luba origin and resembling in certain details of their manners the Baluba Bambo they have habits and customs which are peculiar to them and distinguish them from the former. This is also true of their juridical customs. As is the case with most of the surrounding peoples the social system of the Bakwa Luntu is patriarchal. The Mukwa Luntu society is ruled by three basic laws: 1 The birthright; 2 the exogamy ; 3 the law of solidarity. Only a conjugal union contracted after payment of the “luselu” (dowry) by the man has the character of a marriage. The Bakwa Luntu are generally monogamous, but polygamy is allowed and even sought since it denotes the degree of wealth of a man. The wife takes up residence with her husband. Marriage may be dissolved either by the death of husband or wife or by divorce or repudiation. In case of dissolution of the marriage, the dowry will be returned to the husband. The children born of the marriage belong to the clan of their father. An orphan will be sheltered by his paternal or maternal uncles. The land belongs to the clan, i.e. the collectivity of the living and dead, descending from a common ancestor, often eponym. The living have only a right of usufruct on the lands they inhabit and cultivate. Every male is, however, the proprietor of his arms, implements, furniture, products of culture, and generally all movable estate; so also each wife is the proprietor of her household implements. The Bakwa Luntu have also their own penal code to repress infractions of customary law. The offences of common law were few in olden days; principally witchcraft (buloshi) occupied the sessions of their courts.