Polyandry

Definition

Polyandry is a form of marriage in which a woman has multiple husbands simultaneously. This practice often occurs in certain cultures where social and economic factors, such as land scarcity or population control, influence family structure. Polyandry can also be seen as a way to maintain wealth within a family or community, allowing brothers to share a wife rather than dividing their inheritance among multiple wives and households.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Polyandry is relatively rare compared to polygyny, with most examples found in specific cultural contexts such as Tibet, Nepal, and parts of India.
2. In societies practicing polyandry, it often serves as a mechanism for economic stability by keeping land within a single family unit.
3. Brothers typically share one wife in fraternal polyandry, which helps prevent the fragmentation of property and ensures cooperative labor among family members.
4. The practice of polyandry can sometimes be influenced by environmental factors, such as harsh living conditions that necessitate shared resources among men.
5. Polyandry challenges traditional notions of marriage and gender roles, offering insights into the diverse ways societies organize familial relationships.

Review Questions

• How does polyandry function in cultures where it is practiced, and what are its social implications?
  • In cultures where polyandry is practiced, such as in some Tibetan and Nepali communities, it functions to consolidate family resources and maintain land ownership within a single household. This arrangement allows brothers to share one wife, preventing the division of property that could occur with multiple wives. The social implications include reinforced family bonds and cooperative labor among men, but it also presents unique challenges regarding relationship dynamics and inheritance.
• What are the economic benefits associated with polyandry in specific cultural settings?
  • The economic benefits of polyandry include greater resource management efficiency since multiple husbands contribute to the household's agricultural or economic activities. By pooling resources and labor, families can better support themselves in environments where land is scarce or difficult to cultivate. Additionally, this practice helps to stabilize population growth by limiting the number of wives and children per household, which can be crucial in regions facing environmental constraints.
• Critically assess how polyandry challenges traditional gender norms and family structures across different societies.
  • Polyandry significantly challenges traditional gender norms by placing women in a position of power with multiple husbands while simultaneously promoting cooperative familial structures. Unlike more common forms of marriage that reinforce male dominance, polyandrous arrangements require negotiation and collaboration among all partners. This dynamic can lead to shifts in societal expectations regarding women's roles and contributions within the family unit, promoting a broader understanding of partnership that transcends conventional gender roles and showcases diverse family structures.

Related terms

Polygamy: A marital practice where an individual has multiple spouses, which can include both polygyny (one man with multiple wives) and polyandry.

Levirate Marriage: A custom in some cultures where a widow marries her deceased husband's brother to ensure the continuation of the family line.

Bride Price: A payment made by the groom or his family to the bride's family as part of the marriage process, often seen in cultures practicing polygamy and polyandry.