Polygyny serves to incorporate widows into households. First wife may request help of second. May increase household productivity. May add prestige to male s position. Divorce is common and relatively easy in Industrial Societies because the marriage bond is between individuals rather than families.
Divorce is uncommon in tribal societies because important alliances between families are at stake.
Divorce is easier in Matrilineal societies where men marry into the descent group, and are easily expelled. Divorce is rare in patrilineal societies because few women will abandon the young children who belong to their father's descent group. This page is part of the Columbus State University Web site. Send mail to the CSU Webmaster with questions or comments about this Web site.