The changing cultural and economic dynamics of polygyny and concurrent sexual partnerships in Iringa, Tanzania

Bibliographic Data

ID21189256
AuthorsCecilia Tomori (0000-0003-4235-1821, Johns Hopkins University, corresponding author), Leilani Francisco (0000-0002-1074-6418, Booz Allen Hamilton (United States)), Leilani V Francisco (Booz Allen Hamilton, Tysons Corner, Fairfax County, VA, USA), Caitlin E Kennedy (0000-0001-6820-063X, Johns Hopkins University), Lusajo J Kajula (0000-0001-8375-0701, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Lusajo Kajula-Maonga (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Samuel Likindikoki (0000-0002-1642-3206, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Stella Babalola (0000-0003-1361-061X, Johns Hopkins University), Stella O Babalola (Department of Health Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), SW Beckham (Johns Hopkins University), Jessie Mbwambo (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Jessie K Mbwambo (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Deanna Kerrigan (0000-0001-7401-9159, Johns Hopkins University), Deanna L Kerrigan (Department of Health Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA)
Year2013
Volume8
Issue7
Pages857-870
Publication date2013-08-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2013.815249
PMID23944717
OpenAlexW1976950294
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited40

Polygyny has been identified both as a 'benign' form of concurrency and as the cultural basis of concurrent partnerships that are considered important drivers of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper investigates the changing cultural and economic dynamics of polygyny in concurrency in Iringa, Tanzania, a region with traditions of polygyny and high prevalence of HIV. Our analysis of focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key informant interviews indicate that contemporary concurrent partnerships differ from regional traditions of polygyny. Whereas in the past, polygyny reflected men's and their kin group's wealth and garnered additional prestige, polygyny today is increasingly seen as a threat to health, and as leading to poverty. Nevertheless, participants evoked the social prestige of polygyny to explain men's present-day concurrency, even outside the bounds of marriage, and despite continued social prohibitions against extramarital affairs. Difficult economic conditions, combined with this prestige, made it easier for men to engage in concurrency without the considerable obligations to wives and children in polygyny. Local economic conditions also compelled women to seek concurrent partners to meet basic needs and to access consumer goods, but risked greater moral judgement than men, especially if deemed to have excessive 'desire' for money

Economic growth · Economics · Political science · Polygyny · Population · Poverty · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Tanzania · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Demography · Gender Studies · Marriage and Sexual Relationships