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Polygyny

Did the Africans Get It Right?

State University of New York-Rockland Community College, ccook{at}sunyrockland.edu

This article discusses polygamy as an adaptive cultural practice for Africa. It examines the effects of polygyny on population growth and fertility for select countries. It argues that polygyny has a positive effect on population growth and fertility but at the same time may be harmful to the health and well-being of women and children. It ends with a discussion of interviews conducted with Ivorian women during the summer of 2002. The women reveal their concerns that a monogamous relationship may become polygamous in the future; that they have little control over their husbands' taking a second wife.

Key Words: polygamy • polygyny • monogamy • marriage • family • Africa • women

References

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This version was published on November 1, 2007

Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 38, No. 2, 232-250 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0021934705285695


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Cook, C. T. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?