Polygamy

[Bill]

If you look at the history of polygamy, it usually boils down to being practiced in societies where females are seen as property, with no or few legal rights.

Extra wives are typically purchased by rich old men, while young men go unmarried.

[virgohippy]

Originally Posted by Bill

If you look at the history of polygamy, it usually boils down to being practiced in societies where females are seen as property, with no or few legal rights.

Extra wives are typically purchased by rich old men, while young men go unmarried.

Historically the practice of polygamy usually began in societies where there was a shortage of men due to war or persecution. It was a way of insuring women were taken care of in cultures where women usually had fewer rights then men.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by virgohippy

Historically the practice of polygamy usually began in societies where there was a shortage of men due to war or persecution. It was a way of insuring women were taken care of in cultures where women usually had fewer rights then men.

Thats one of the theories at least - and it sounds like a possibility, and reasonable, tho I can't say I can recall any proofs of it, it was just one of several theories, as I recall from anthropology readings.

Men have often died at rates higher than women, especially after the invention of organized warfare, so if that was the only explanation you would think there would be more cultures practicing polygamy.

I doubt we can explain modern polygamy with that model.

Now it's mostly about wealth. Everywhere that polygamy is practiced, the richest men have the most wives, and most men don't have multiple wives.