What is the purpose of polygyny?

What is the purpose of polygyny?

By creating opportunities for sexual companionship among the other members of the marriage, polygyny also supports the once common expectation that women will remain sexually abstinent for two or more years beginning in the last months of pregnancy (or upon parturition).

What is polygyny in history?

Polygamy (from Late Greek πολυγαμία, polygamía, “state of marriage to many spouses”) is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. When a man is married to more than one wife at the same time, sociologists call this polygyny. When a woman is married to more than one husband at a time, it is called polyandry.

Why is polygamy practiced in Africa?

Therefore, one of the reasons polygamy is popular is because African societies see children as a form of wealth and this way a family with more children was considered more powerful.

Is polygamy an African culture?

Polygamy is a phenomenon often associated with African people. In almost all African societies, polygamy is an acceptable and valid form of marriage – in fact, monogamy has been associated with people of lower social status.

How does polygamy affect development?

The review found more mental health problems, social problems and lower academic achievement for children and adolescents from polygynous than monogamous families. Similarities between children and adolescents from polygynous and monogamous families included self-esteem, anxiety and depression scores.

What is polygamy in Africa?

In most West African countries, polygamy is also recognised and regulated by the civil law that allows a man to marry up to four women under certain conditions, including the financial capacity to support multiple wives and families. In practice, a polygamous union is in most cases limited to two women per couple.

How common is polygamy in Africa?

Polygamy is most often found in sub-Saharan Africa, where 11\% of the population lives in arrangements that include more than one spouse. Polygamy is widespread in a cluster of countries in West and Central Africa, including Burkina Faso, (36\%), Mali (34\%) and Nigeria (28\%).

Why is there polygamy in Africa?

Why is polygamy common in Africa?

The truth is that polygamy was to do with status and wealth. The more wives a man had the more his wealth grew. Through polygamous marriages women in precolonial Africa often had greater personal autonomy. As new wives joined a compound, older ones could focus on their trading.

How do polygamous relationships work?

Polyamory involves engaging in multiple romantic or sexual relationships with different people. Some people have a primary partner but are free to pursue casual relationships with others. A successful poly relationship involves regular check-ins with your partners and open communication.

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