Rethinking polygyny: co-wives, codes, and cultural systems

Current Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 29 • Published In 1988 • Pages: 529-558 •

By White, Douglas R.

Abstract

This article "focuses on internal relationships in the organization of polygynous systems." The author presents new codes for polygyny and tests hypotheses regarding "complexes" of polygynous variables: wealth-increasing polygyny and sororal polygyny. It is asserted that polygyny is produced by a variety of factors and circumstances, and that regional historical, demographic, and ecological forces require attention in order to understand its acceptance and practice.

Hypotheses (2)
Hypothesis	Supported
The wealth-increasing polygyny complex: hypotheses relate a) autonomous wife and husband residence, b) norms and frequences of polygyny, c) wealth stratification of polygynists, d) female contribution to wealth, and e) a negative binomial distribution of polygyny (in which the addition of each wife increases the likelihood of adding another).	`UNKNOWN`
The sororal polygyny complex: hypotheses relate a) husbands' and wives' relative generation of wealth, b) husbands and wives autonomous residences, c) sororal mode of polygyny, and d) the husband's responsibility to attract new wives.	`UNKNOWN`

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings Amelia Piazza

Rethinking polygyny: co-wives, codes, and cultural systems

Current Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 29 • Published In 1988 • Pages: 529-558 • Cite

By White, Douglas R.

Abstract

Hypotheses (2)

Current Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 29 • Published In 1988 • Pages: 529-558 •