Polygamy: A Cross-Cultural Analysis

by Miriam Koktvedgaard Zeitzen

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847886170
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	04/01/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Miriam Zeitzen is an independent scholar.

Table of Contents

Part I: Defining Polygamy Chapter 1. Forms of Polygamy Chapter 2. Foundations of Polygamy Chapter 3. Polygamy in Anthropological Theory Part II: Polygamy Cross-Culturally Chapter 4. Muslim Polygyny in Malaysia Chapter 5. Christian Polygyny in the USA Chapter 6. Hindu Polyandry in India Part III: Polygamy in Contemporary Societies Chapter 7. Polygamy and Gender Chapter 8. Polygamy and Modernity Chapter 9. Polygamy in Contemporary Societies Part IV: References