The Polygyny–Fertility Hypothesis

A Re-evaluation

Bibliographic Data

ID20970276
AuthorsLee L Bean (University of Utah), Geraldine P Mineau (University of Utah)
Year1986
Volume40
Issue1
Pages67-81
Publication date1986-03-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePopulation Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0032-4728 • E-ISSN: 1477-4747
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0032472031000141846
PMID11611923
OpenAlexW2064193941
LanguageEN
Citations received28

Previous studies of the relationship between polygynous marriages and fertility have produced mixed results, although on balance evidence suggests that fertility levels are lower in polygynous than in monogamous marriages. It is argued that the inconsistent results stem from the aggregation of fertility data among all wives in polygynous unions, and that major differences are due to variations in fertility by wife-order and number of wives in polygynous unions. Data for 2534 polygynists with 7378 marriages are analysed and contrasted with fertility data from once married women, using information covering population of Utah during the nineteenth century. Our data indicate significant variations in fertility levels by wife-order; these fertility differences are largely due to variations in length of exposure to the risk of conception and birth intervals

Fertility · Geography · Political science · Polygyny · Population · Sociology · Wife · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Reproductive Health and Technologies

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