1. Marriage

3. 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 -

4. Why Practice Marriage? sort out issues of property rights
access to resources
alliances
sharing work
family heredity
maintain hierarchy
love?

5. 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

6. 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 ,

7. Arranged Marriage – a parent or third party (matchmaker) selects a spouse - arranged marriages reflect the cultural value of children deferring to parental authority

8. 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

9. 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

10. - 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

11. Fraternal Polyandry
Fraternal = brothers Polyandry = one wife, multiple husbands -practiced in Tibet, north India, Bhutan - harsh environments

12. eldest brother has the most authority
- manages household
all brothers share work
all brothers have equal sexual access
- usually scheduled

13. Children all children are treated equally
no attempt to identify the paternity of the child
all brothers are the childrens’ father

14. 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

15. 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

16. Fraternal Polyandry