ABSTRACT

Forms of plural marriage, or polygamy, are practiced within most of the world's cultures and religions. The amazing variation, versatility and adaptability of polygamy underscore that it is not just an exotic non-Western practice, but also exists in modern Western societies. Polygamy: A Cross-cultural Analysis provides an examination and analysis of historical and contemporary polygamy. It outlines polygamy's place in anthropological theory and its rich sociocultural diversity in countries ranging from the USA and UK to Malaysia, India, regions of Africa and Tibet. Polygamy also addresses often difficult and controversial issues facing modern polygamists, such as prejudice, HIV/AIDS and women's emancipation. Polygamy: A Cross-cultural Analysis offers an anthropological overview of the fascinating yet often misunderstood institution of polygamy.

part I|65 pages

Defining Polygamy

chapter 1|18 pages

Forms of Polygamy

chapter 2|19 pages

Foundations of Polygamy

chapter 3|25 pages

Theories of Polygamy

part II|56 pages

Polygamy Cross-culturally

chapter 4|19 pages

Muslim Polygyny in Malaysia 1

chapter 5|19 pages

Christian Polygyny in the USA

chapter 6|14 pages

Hindu Polyandry in India

part III|62 pages

Living Polygamy

chapter 7|20 pages

Polygamy and Gender

chapter 8|20 pages

Polygamy and Modernity

chapter 9|20 pages

Polygamy in Contemporary Societies 1