Anthro Polygamy Slides

HOW POLYGAMY AFFECTS
WOMAN AND CHILDREN.

INTRODUCTION
Polygamy is a term that refers to the practice of having multiple spouses. It has a long history
in human societies, with evidence of its existence dating back several millennia.
BRIEF HISTORY OF
POLYGAMY
The term polygamy comes from the Greek words poly, which means “many,” and gamos,
which means “marriage.” It was first used in English in the early 17th century to describe the
practice of having multiple wives or husbands. Throughout history, polygamy has been
practiced in many cultures and religions around the world. In ancient civilizations such as
Egypt, Greece, and Rome, wealthy men were often allowed to have multiple wives or
concubines. In some African societies, polygamy was a way for men to demonstrate their
wealth and status, as well as to increase the size of their family and lineage
CONT…
In many religions, including Islam and Mormonism, polygamy has been practiced as a
legitimate form of marriage. However, in many countries, including the United States,
polygamy is illegal. In modern anthropological studies, the term polygamy is often used to
refer to a range of different practices, including polyandry (one woman with multiple
husbands), polygyny (one man with multiple wives), and group marriage (multiple partners in
a single household). Today, the practice of polygamy remains controversial, with many people
viewing it as a form of exploitation or oppression, particularly of women. However, there are
also those who argue that polygamy can be a consensual and mutually beneficial arrangement
between consenting adults.
HOW DOES POLYGAMY AFFECT WOMEN
AND CHILDREN
Real risks of psychological and emotional
suffering exist for these women. Women in this
type of marriage are found to have lower martial
satisfaction, problematic mother-child
interactions with women in monogamous
marriages. They are at a higher risk of
depression, a low self esteem, anxiety, hostility
and a psychiatric disorder. Some women are
forced into polygamous marriages for factors
such as poverty, religion, helplessness and
despair. Their own lives are bargained with.
Polygamy has shown to have advantages:
Compared to other spouses, childless wives are
eager to enter these types of unions in order to
produce children and descendants for their
husband. Women that are not emotionally or
financially stable who have children of their own
enter these kind of marriages to provide a sense
of love, warmth, safety and security for
themselves and the children.
The warmth and love polygamous households
exhibit may serve as a beneficial role in the
mental health and self esteem of children.
However, according to a qualitative study on
children and young adults, polygamy causes
emotional abuse to daughters because they see
their mothers intense suffering from second
marriages and attribute that suffering to it. They
may experience mental health issues, social
issues and lower academic accomplishment.
HOW DOES POLYGAMY
AFFECT SOCIETY TODAY
The societal reaction to polygamy varies greatly depending on
cultural, religious, and legal factors. Polygamy refers to the
practice of having multiple spouses at the same time, and it can
take different forms, such as polygyny (one man having multiple
wives) or polyandry (one woman having multiple husbands).
In some societies, polygamy is widely accepted and considered a

normal way of life. For example, some cultures in Africa and the
middle east have a long-standing tradition of polygamy , and it is
practiced openly and legally in some countries. In these societies,
having multiple spouses may be seen as a sign of wealth, status,
or religious devotion.
However , in many other societies polygamy is stigmatized and
considered taboo. In some people cases, it is even illegal. For
example in many western countries, such as the United States and
Canada, polygamy is illegal and socially frowned upon. It is often
associated with religious sect that practice it secretly and outside of
the law.
Overall, societal attitudes toward polygamy are complex and often
linked to broader cultural, religious, and legal norms. Some people
view it as a form of exploitation or oppression, while others see it as
a legitimate lifestyle choice. Polygyny, the practice where in a man
has more than one wife at the same time, is by far the most common
form of polygamy. Many Muslim –majority countries and some
countries with sizable Muslim minorities accept polygyny to varying
extents both legally and culturally. In several countries, such as
India, the law only recognizes polygamous marriages for the Muslim
population. Islamic law or sharia is a religious law forming part of
the Islamic tradition which allows polygyny.

Polygyny is widespread in Africa than on any other
continent , especially in west Africa than on any other
continent , especially in west Africa, and some
scholars see the slaves trader’s impact on the male-to-
female sex ratio as a key factor in the emergence and
fortification of polygynous practices in regions of
Africa. In the region of sub-Saharan Africa living in
such marriages (25% of the Muslim population and
3% of the Christian population , as of 2019).
According to pew, polygamy is widespread in a
cluster of countries in west and central Africa,
including Burkina Faso, (36%), mali (34%) and
Nigeria (28%).
Anthropologist Jack Goody’s comparative study of
marriage around the world utilizing the Ethnographic
atlas demonstrated a historical correlation between the
practice of extensive shifting of horticulture and
polygamy in the majority of sub-Saharan African
society . Drawing on the work of Easter Boserup,
Goody note that the sexual division of labour varies
between the male dominated the most plough-
agriculture common in Eurasia and the extensive
shifting horticulture found in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In Africa women do much work than mans, that
favour polygamous marriages in which man
seek to monopolize the production of woman.
Goody observe that males are more dominating
more especially on farming, it happen the most
in west African Savanna where agricultural
work is done by men, polygyny is a wish by
man more for the generation of male offspring
whose labour is valued

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HOW POLYGAMY AFFECTS

WOMAN AND CHILDREN.

In some societies, polygamy is widely accepted and considered a

considered taboo. In some people cases, it is even illegal. For

example in many western countries, such as the United States and

Canada, polygamy is illegal and socially frowned upon. It is often

associated with religious sect that practice it secretly and outside of

linked to broader cultural, religious, and legal norms. Some people

view it as a form of exploitation or oppression, while others see it as

a legitimate lifestyle choice. Polygyny, the practice where in a man

form of polygamy. Many Muslim –majority countries and some

countries with sizable Muslim minorities accept polygyny to varying

extents both legally and culturally. In several countries, such as

population. Islamic law or sharia is a religious law forming part of

the Islamic tradition which allows polygyny.

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