Marriage
Marriage is found in all societies in various forms - it is a universal characteristic Possible evolutionary advantage? -greater parental investment in children - increases survival rates -
Why Practice Marriage? sort out issues of property rights access to resources alliances sharing work family heredity maintain hierarchy love?
Different Types of Marriage Monogamy – one person is married to one person at a time Polygamy - Polygyny – one man has more than one wife - Polyandry – one woman has more than one husband
In polygynous cultures, not all men will get to marry and reproduce - competition between men for more wives results in higher levels of rape, murder, kidnapping, assault and robbery – primarily by unmarried men ,
Arranged Marriage – a parent or third party (matchmaker) selects a spouse - arranged marriages reflect the cultural value of children deferring to parental authority
Arranged marriages are matched by: - religion/culture/language - class - finances/business - family and friendship ties (networks) - extended family support Marriage precedes love Divorce rates are low – divorce affects extended family, consequently not as likely - practiced in cultures where divorce is not socially acceptable
Love Marriage – individuals are responsible for their own mate selection Considerations: age - single (available) - attraction relationship i.e. trust (doctor/patient) gender preference religion class/financial race/ethnicity
- Love marriages reflect the West’s values of individuality and independence Love precedes marriage Historically, marriages were economic and/or convenience based “Dating” did not become popular until the 1920’s Today, marriage is evolving to a predominantly individual act
Fraternal Polyandry Fraternal = brothers Polyandry = one wife, multiple husbands -practiced in Tibet, north India, Bhutan - harsh environments
eldest brother has the most authority - manages household all brothers share work all brothers have equal sexual access - usually scheduled
Children all children are treated equally no attempt to identify the paternity of the child all brothers are the childrens’ father
Reasons to Practice Fraternal Polyandry Economics - prevents the division of a family’s wealth and property - all members receive a higher standard of living - good ‘working’ unit
Prevents conflict - no competition - all brothers are working for the good of the unit Limits population growth - one female producing, therefore limits number of offspring - population growth puts pressure on resources
Fraternal Polyandry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7HKmu3eMEk