POLYGYNISTS AND THEIR WIVES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA - AN ANALYSIS OF 5 DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS

Citation
Im. Timaeus et A. Reynar, POLYGYNISTS AND THEIR WIVES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA - AN ANALYSIS OF 5 DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEYS, Population Studies, 52(2), 1998, pp. 145-162
Citations number
27
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Demografy
Journal title
ISSN journal
0032-4728
Volume
52
Issue
2
Year of publication
1998
Pages
145 - 162
Database
ISI
SICI code
0032-4728(1998)52:2<145:PATWIS>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
Differential polygyny in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia is investigated using individual-level Demographic and Health Surveys dat a. As well as contrasting polygynists first wives with women in monoga mous unions, the analysis distinguishes higher-order wives from first wives. This permits study of the determinants of the prevalence and in tensity of polygyny respectively. Polygyny and other aspects of marria ge interlock in very similar ways in all five countries. Individuals' experience of polygyny tends to reflect their luck in the marriage mar ket rather than their socio-economic characteristics. While polygyny i s less prevalent in urban areas, other socio-economic factors are impo rtant only in Kenya and Zambia, the two countries where less than 25 p er cent of married women are in polygynous unions. The prevalence and intensity of polygyny are negatively associated. Thus, any drop in the prevalence of polygyny in Africa may be accompanied by a rise in the number of wives per polygynist.