Polygynous Marriages Research Articles

Polygyny and Post-nomadism among the Bedouin in Israel

Abstract: The continuing practice of polygynous marriage on the part of the Bedouin of the Negev in Israel is generally seen as resistance to modernity for the sake of maintaining semi-nomadic ways of life. By this logic, the numerous anthropological studies that have shown that polygyny is more widespread among older generations (particularly among men of means) can be explained. In Israel, however, there is an added factor of modernity as enforced by the state and its alien Western values. Recent studies of the Bedouin in Israel have found that polygyny is on the increase among all age groups, regardless of their socio-economic status. This article addresses this seemingly surprising finding, discussing some of the main social and political motivations that underlie the growing prevalence of polygyny as exhibited by the Bedouin in Israel. Keywords: Bedouin, Israel, politics, polygyny, tribes, urbanisation Introduction Case Study No. 1 Abu-Mohammad was the sheikh of his tribe and lived in the Negev Desert in the modern state of Israel. He married three wives. The first, Tarfa, his

The impact of group fissions on genetic structure in Native South America and implications for human evolution

In a series of publications beginning in the 1960s, Neel and colleagues suggested that genetically nonrandom, or "lineal", population fissions contributed to genetic structure in ancient human groups. The authors reached this conclusion by studying the genetic consequences of village fissions among the Yanomamo, a Native South American group thought to have been relatively unaffected by European contact and, therefore, representative of the human past. On the basis of ethnographic accounts and pedigree data, they further concluded that patrilineal relationships were particularly important in shaping the genetic structure of villages following fissions. This study reexamines the genetic consequences of village fissions using autosomal STRs, Y-chromosome STRs, and mitochondrial DNA sequences collected from large samples of individuals from multiple Yanomamo villages. Our analyses of the autosomal STRs replicate the previous finding that village fissions have produced substantial genetic structure among the Yanomamo. However, our analyses of Y-chromosome STRs and mtDNA d-loop polymorphisms suggest that other population processes, including village movements, inter-village migration, and polygynous marriage, affect genetic structure in ways not predicted by a simple model of patrilineal fissions. We discuss the broader implications of population fissions for human evolution and the suitability of using the Yanomamo as a model for the human past.

Women’s Reports of Condom Use in Thai Couples under Intensive and Regular STI/HIV Risk Reduction Counseling

The objective of this study was to determine factors affecting condom use and condom use rates among Thai couples. A cohort of 1,391 reproductive aged women who attended seven family planning clinics in all regions of Thailand and met study eligibility were followed at 3-month intervals for 15-24 months. At each visit, the woman was interviewed about sexual risk behaviors and counseled for sexual risk reduction and condom use. Condoms were provided free of charge. The women were classified into 3 groups according to contraceptive use at baseline: single contraceptive method group, dual methods consisting of contraceptives with condoms, and condoms only. We found that condom use rates were generally low in all contraceptive groups. Significant factors affecting condom use in multivariate analyses included, contraceptive method at baseline, polygynous marriage, higher education, engaging in commercial sex work, multiple sex partners, sex during menses, more frequent sex, laboratory confirmed STIs, husbands spending nights away from home, husbands having sex with other women, and penile ulcers or sores.

Family Structure and Child Mortality in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Cross‐National Effects of Polygyny

This study applies multilevel logistic regression to Demographic and Health Survey data from 22 sub‐Saharan African countries to examine whether the relationship between child mortality and family structure, with a specific emphasis on polygyny, varies cross‐nationally and over time. Hypotheses were developed on the basis of competing theories on the relationship between child health and family structure. Although children of mothers in polygynous marriages are more likely to die than those of mothers in monogamous unions, the relationship is constant across time. Familial factors including education, socioeconomic status (SES), and urban residence accounted for most of the observed cross‐national variation associated with polygyny. Consequently, improving maternal education and household SES would greatly benefit child health in sub‐Saharan Africa.

The Effects of Polygyny and Domicility on Offspring Sex Ratio in Ghana

AbstractThis article explores how family structure and domicility influences offspring sex ratio bias, specifically living arrangements of husband in polygynous unions. Data from three Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys were used to examine the relationship between family structure and offspring sex ratio at birth, something that previous studies have not been able to do. This study estimate models of sex ratio offspring if the wives live together with husband present and wives live in separate dwellings and are visited by husband in turn. The results suggest that within polygynous marriages there are more male births, especially when husbands reside in the same dwelling as wives, than when husbands reside in separate dwellings from their wives. The analyses show that offspring sex ratio is related to the structure of living arrangement of husbands in polygynous unions. Indeed, the findings suggest that living arrangements and family structure among humans are important factors in predicting offspring sex ratio bias.

THE DEMOGRAPHY OF A NEW GUINEA HIGHLANDS VALLEY

Relatively little is known about demographic processes in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, although since the reports of the first ethnographers, population growth has been thought a significant issue. This paper analyses a series of population surveys conducted over 24 years in a Wola-speaking community of the Was valley of the Southern Highlands Province. It seeks to put a standard demographic investigation of births, deaths and migration in cultural and historical context. Polygynous marriage arrangements, male fears of menstrual pollution and attitudes to extra-marital affairs impact on birth rates. The periodic occurrence of El Niño induced food shortages and ‘tribal fighting’ affect death rates. Migration patterns are influenced both by traditional arrangements, such as families living on two territories, and recent changes, such as towns that offer new employment opportunities. Although the population is expanding, there is currently no problem with resources.

Maasai Marriage: A comparative study of Kenya and Tanzania

This study compares and contrast recent and contemporary nuptiality among Maasai men of Kenya and Tanzania, and represents the first cross-national comparable data set on Maasai marriage (n=2,394) (men aged 20 and above). By comparing nuptiality between Kenyan and Tanzanian Maasai, this study examines marriage among the Massai in particular and rural sub-Saharan African populations undergoing social-economic change in general. Maasai men marry later, on average, than the national average in both Kenya and Tanzania, and the age at first marriage appears to be declining. Relative to national levels, polygynous marriages account for a significantly higher proportion of Maasai marriages. Country-level differences in entry into and type of (monogamous or polygynous) marriage are described and explanations sought. The Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania are arguably the best-known pastoralist population in the world, and the current study represents an opportunity to update and review the body of evidence linking pastoralism with polygyny. Linkages between socio-economic divergence and nuptiality are identified, with specific reference to uptake of formal education.

Polygyny, Rank, and Resources in Northwest Coast Foraging Societies

Polygyny involving high ranking men and women facilitated the mobilization of in food, wealth, and labor in Northwest Coast societies. Men were more involved with food procurement and women with food storage. Senior wives of polygynous chiefs supervised the labor of junior wives and slaves, and the creation and allocation of food stores. Greater freedom from mundane tasks gave elite women time to manufacture valuables such as textiles and baskets used in trade and potlatching. Chiefs depended on their wives' relatives for assistance in potlatching, trade, and defense. Polygyny created and reinforced alliances and increased the numerical strength of households and villages, providing economic and political advantages in an area of frequent warfare. Cross-cultural tests for relationships between women's subsistence contributions and polygyny have neglected consideration of food processing and food storage among foragers like Northwest Coast peoples. (Northwest Coast, polygyny, women's economic importance, marriage alliance) ********** Although the Pacific Northwest Coast is a region of cultural diversity, the earliest European accounts of the peoples there and later ethnographic descriptions reveal some recurring themes. These include a reliance on marine resources, especially salmon, extensive food storage, an emphasis on inherited rank and wealth accumulation, dramatic ceremonies and artistic traditions, potlatch feasts, warfare, slavery, and corporate kin group, as well as some individual and/or community ownership of resource harvesting areas (Suttles 1990; Richardson 1982). Two key resources, red cedar and salmon, formed the environmental base upon which classic Northwest Coast culture was built (Donald 2003:292); however, shellfish may have been more important in Northwest Coast diets than is usually recognized, particularly for women and those of lower status (see Moss 1993:643). Large, permanent, often multi-family plank houses were occupied during part of the year, while less formidable structures provided shelter at seasonally occupied resource-harvesting sites away from the main villages. While residential mobility was limited, considerable logistical mobility was associated with subsistence activities, trade, warfare, attendance at potlatches, and visiting. Despite a heavy reliance on marine and riverine resources, there was extensive harvesting and storage of land based flora and fauna for manufacturing, food, and medicines. Wood and plant fibers were absolutely essential to the harvest, transport, processing, and storage of all the other subsistence resources (Norton 1985:103). Although less widely discussed, polygynous marriage involving high ranking men and women was also common in this region until well into the nineteenth century. Despite the association of polygynous marriage with wealthy or high ranking people throughout the region (Donald 1997:25; Driver and Massey 1957:400; Jorgensen 1980:167-68, 453-54; Suttles 1990), and the voluminous literature on Northwest Coast societies, polygyny has not been a specific focus of ethnological attention. Yet it was arguably a critical aspect of resource management facilitating the mobilization of food resources, other forms of wealth, and labor. The period under discussion extends from roughly the 1770s until the 1860s, encompassing the inception and unfolding of the maritime and land-based fur trade. The boundaries of the Northwest Coast culture area have been variously drawn. Under consideration here are groups that extend from the Eyak, the most northerly of Northwest Coast peoples, to the Takelma, the most southerly (Suttles 1990). According to Jorgensen, the proportion of the married male population in polygynous unions before contact with, and penetration by, Europeans (2) (1980:1) was between 11 and 25 percent for many groups, and between 5 and 10 percent for the rest (Jorgensen 1980:453-54). The percentage of married women who were co-wives varied also. …

Negotiating Marriage on the Eve of Human Rights

This paper examines the case of women’s rights in marriage. It adopts a pluralist perspective on law and rights that highlights the complex legal framework within which women negotiate marriage. Based on research carried out in two Malawian cities in 2000-2001, it focuses on the interplay between different types of laws and norms related to marriage and discusses the opportunities and limitations women experience when negotiating polygynous marriages. One important aspect of the plural legal framework in contemporary Africa is the concept of human rights, which has accompanied the democratisation proces. The paper draws attention women’s rights on the legal framework inMalawi.

Effects of polygyny and consanguinity on high fertility in the rural Arab population in South Jordan.

Based on the authors' interview survey for 608 randomly selected women of the rural Arab population in the South Ghor district of Jordan, this paper examined the effects of polygyny and consanguinity on high fertility, which was recognized as natural fertility. The prevalence of polygynous and consanguineous marriages was 28.0% and 58.1%, respectively, largely reflecting the population's traditional marriage customs. The findings highlighted a significantly higher total marital fertility rate (TMFR) in the monogamous wives (10.5) than in the senior polygynous (8.1) and junior polygynous wives (8.6); the TMFR did not significantly differ among the wives of non-consanguineous, first-cousin and second-cousin marriages. The formation of polygynous marriage was decided by the husband, mostly as a result of his senior wife's infecundity or sub-fecundity, and the age of the husband at marriage to his junior polygynous wife was high in many cases, leading to a decline in this wife's fecundity.

Herpes simplex 2 risk among women in a polygynous setting in rural West Africa

To determine risk factors for herpes simplex 2 (HSV2) infection in women in a polygynous rural Gambian population. Data from women who participated in a cross-sectional survey of reproductive health were matched to their own and, for women who had been or were married (ever-married), their spouses' data collected in a cross-sectional survey of fertility interests, including information on marital histories. Data were available on 150 never-married and 525 ever-married women. HSV2 prevalence was 16% amongst never-married women and 36% amongst ever-married women. For ever-married women, their own personal characteristics (age, ethnicity and genital cutting status) and events from their husbands' marriage history were important determinants of HSV2 infection. Women whose husbands married for the first time over age 35 were at greater risk than women whose husbands married by age 24 [odds ratio (OR) 2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-6.10]. Women whose husband reported interest in a new marriage were more likely to be HSV2 positive (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.18-3.09). Women whose husbands were currently monogamous but had had previous marriages (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.30-5.88) and women in currently polygynous marriages (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.66-5.01) were three times as likely to be HSV2 positive as women who were their husband's only wife ever. Much transmission of HSV2 in this setting occurs within marriage where opportunity for personal protection is limited. High levels of transmission within marriage may undermine the impact of sexual behaviour change programmes aiming to reduce HSV2 and HIV incidence and complicate their evaluation.

Multiple Predictors of Contribution by Women to Agriculture

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.

A Bit of Logic Goes a Long Way: A Reply to Sanderson

Sanderson's comment (Social Forces 80:1) is marred by logical and factual errors. Most of them stem from its confusion of a polygynous marriage with a polygynous society misinterpretation of basic principles of evolutionary biology and psychology and errors in statistical argument.

In Rural Gambia, Men's Marital and Reproductive Patterns Differ Sharply from Those of Women

In a study of nearly 3000 men and women in rural Gambia it was noted that mens marital and reproductive patterns differ significantly from those of women. Interviews were conducted with 1315 men 18 or older and 1621 women 15-54 years old between February and June 1998. The questionnaires covered marriage and pregnancy history including infant mortality and current residence of living children proximate determinants of fertility for women and marriage and fertility intentions for men. Mens total fertility rate was 12.0 lifetime births per man during a 4-year period while womens was 6.8 lifetime births per woman. Men achieved higher fertility than women through serial and polygynous marriages. Among men who gave a specific number the total mean desired number of children was 15.2 and the total mean desired number of children with each wife was 7.3; the mean desired age at the birth of their last child was 68.

Generational Changes in Marriage Patterns in the Central Province of Kenya, 1930-1990

It is the argument of this paper, which compares the experiences and attitudes of three generations of Kikuyu women in Kenya, that the practices of female circumcision and polygyny, the payment of bridewealth, and the age of first marriage were all affected over the sixty year period of this study by a combination of changes in the material world and by the proselytization of Christian missionaries. Most of the women in the third generation, who were in their twenties in 1990, have abandoned female circumcision and all of them reject the idea of polygynous marriage. Most of them are attempting to construct a marriage arrangement that reflects their understanding of western Christian practice, but the marriage age is now much more fluid and marriage itself much less certain.

Social correlates and coping measures of street-children: a comparative study of street and non-street children in South-Western Nigeria

Objective: This paper sought to achieve two objectives: First, to identify the social correlates attributable to street-children in south-western Nigeria as well as predisposing factors to this behavior; second, it also tried to uncover the survival mechanisms of street children. Method: The study was carried out in Ibadan and Lagos metropoles in south-western Nigeria. A pilot study was first conducted to clarify issues like location of the children on the streets, time of the day suitable for interview, and adequacy of the instruments. The main study involving a comparative 202 and 201 street-children and non-street children, respectively, was carried out using the questionnaire and case study approach in the two cities. Data analytical procedures involved both quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: Street-children are mostly males, have low-levels of education, are predominantly Yoruba, and come from families with five or more siblings. Parents of street-children commonly had low education and were mainly found in unskilled occupations; were in contract polygynous marriages which are also often characterized by marital disruption. Street children also left home because of parental/familial reasons, chiefly among which was the inability of their parents to meet with their expectations. They survive on the streets engaging in some income-yielding activities, and are also faced with many hazards. Conclusions: The findings revealed that polygyny, large family, family disruption, and child labor were all central issues and predisposing factors to living on the streets by children. The poverty factor clearly came out as a very important factor.

The optimal number of fathers. Evolution, demography, and history in the shaping of female mate preferences.

Around the world polygynous marriage (one man, several women) is vastly more common than polyandrous marriage (one woman, several men), and women tend to be more cautious about entering into sexual relationships than men are. Such patterns are often assumed to reflect essential differences between the sexes. However, the same dichotomy between "ardent" males and "coy" females is not found in other primates. Furthermore, under a range of circumstances females enhance their reproductive success by mating with multiple partners and use polyandrous mating (soliciting copulations from several or more males) to circumvent male-imposed costs on their free choice of mates. The existence of one-male mating systems does not prove that females "naturally" gravitate to them. Typically monandrous (copulating with just one partner) mating systems are maintained by one male excluding rivals or by other circumstances that distort female options. As with many other animals, primate females (including women) can benefit reproductively from polyandrous matings. Understanding this takes us beyond narrow research programs intent on demonstrating "universal" differences between the sexes, and allows us to study females as flexible and opportunistic individuals who confront recurring reproductive dilemmas and tradeoffs within a world of shifting options.

Polygyny and child growth in a traditional pastoral society : The case of the datoga of Tanzania.

In this paper I use measures of childhood growth to assess from both an evolutionary theoretical and an applied public health perspective the impact of polygyny on maternal-child welfare among the Datoga pastoralists of Tanzania. I report that the growth and body composition of children varies in such a way as to suggest that polygyny is not generally beneficial to women in terms of offspring quality. Cross-sectional analysis of covariance by maternal marriage status revealed that children of first and second wives in polygynous marriages grow relatively poorly, that this is correlated with maternal physical status, and that the pattern is not modified by household wealth. I discuss how the dynamics of sexual conflicts operating during the formation and maintenance of marriages may be important factors in the etiology of poor child growth in this population, leading to complex patterns of variation in anthropometric indicators of both women and children. The theoretical conclusion is that improved evolutionary models of polygyny should be designed to examine the potential for adaptive tradeoffs between the currencies of offspring quality and quantity for all types of parents in a polygynous population. The practical conclusion is that a better understanding of the relationships between marriage practices and health outcomes would assist in the development of culturally appropriate health and nutrition interventions.

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Ghanaian Women in Polygynous Marriages

This paper tests hypotheses regarding the association of socio-economic factors with type of marriage (monogamy and polygyny) in Ghana using a sample of 1797 wives from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) data (1988). It is shown that the sample is characterized by general p9lygyny. The prevalence of polygyny is also estimated in tei:ms of its incidence, intensity and general index. The data reveal a significant association between education and type of marriage. Education is positively related to monogamy and negatively to polygyny. No significant association is found between women’s occupation and the type of marriage in which they are Place of resisdence and type of marriage are also significantly related. More rural women than urban women are found in polygynous marriages, and more urban women than rural women are found in monogamous marriages. Religion is significantly related to type of marriage. Orthodox Western religion is positively related to monogamy but negatively rehted to polygyny. Moslems, and traditional religion practitioners seem to be highly represented in polygyny.

Polygyny and fertility in Morocco: the effect of marital instability

This paper analyses the relationship between polygyny and female fertility in the province of Marrakech (Morocco) taking into account the effect of the previous marital instability (number of marriages) and the possible association between female sterility and type of marriage. In the analysed population, polygyny increases in the small towns. Polygynously married women have a higher level of education and show a higher percentage of use of contraceptive methods than the monogamously married ones. Although polygynously married women initially show lower fertility, multivariate analysis carried out on the group of women between 35 and 49 years old show that there are no significant differences in fertility between monogamously and polygynously married women when the effect of the previous marital instability is considerer. Female sterility does not determine marital instability, although it does determine a significant increase in polygynous marriages among the women without children.