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Polyandry, the marriage of one woman to two or more men, is still practiced in parts of India, Nepal, and Africa. In history, the practice occurred in Tibet, China, Bhutan and other parts of the world.
Polyandry was common in areas of the world where resources such as land and food were scarce, but women were allowed to own property. It was at one time practiced in Tibet, but Chinese occupation outlawed the practice, though it still occurs in the Yunnan and Sichuan regions of China. It is still practiced in parts of Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, as well as parts of South America and India.
Generally, where the practice was followed, a man who desired to marry a woman met with the woman’s parents. If they came to an agreement, the man married the woman. If a second man also desired to marry the woman, he spoke with the woman’s parents, and unless the first husband presented a dowry large enough to create a monogamous relationship, the second man also married the woman. The family then all lived in the same home.
The vast majority of polyandrous marriages involved a woman who married two or more brothers. Known as fraternal polyandry, this process was considered more stable than nonfraternal polyandry, the marriage of one woman to several non-related men. Two or more related men were more likely to care for all of the children of the relationship than men who had no familial ties to each other.
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I am too tired to google any more, such as Quora which I often find useful for historic
Polyandry was common in areas of the world where resources such as land and food were scarce, but women were allowed to own property. It was at one time practiced in Tibet, but Chinese occupation outlawed the practice, though it still occurs in the Yunnan and Sichuan regions of China. It is still practiced in parts of Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, as well as parts of South America and India.
Generally, where the practice was followed, a man who desired to marry a woman met with the woman’s parents. If they came to an agreement, the man married the woman. If a second man also desired to marry the woman, he spoke with the woman’s parents, and unless the first husband presented a dowry large enough to create a monogamous relationship, the second man also married the woman. The family then all lived in the same home.
The vast majority of polyandrous marriages involved a woman who married two or more brothers. Known as fraternal polyandry, this process was considered more stable than nonfraternal polyandry, the marriage of one woman to several non-related men. Two or more related men were more likely to care for all of the children of the relationship than men who had no familial ties to each other.
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I am too tired to google any more, such as Quora which I often find useful for historic
Jenny1234 · 51-55, F
Why anyone would want to share their spouse is beyond me.
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SW-User
@Jenny1234 People tend to stray from the norm and then are puzzled when things don't work out. Some double down on the loonesy so as to appear "evolved". I swear sweetheart, I'm a Neanderthal, the day you start a discussion about opening our marriage is the day you become divorced.
WhateverWorks · 36-40
I say to each their own until they get condescending. People into poly who slam monogamy and claim poly is more evolved, or, paradoxically, human nature are so pretentious, manipulative and predatorial. The poly community is infested with these kind of people.
redredred · M
Who the hell want more mothers-in-law?
bijouxbroussard · F
Where it exists it is usually polygynous. One man, multiple women because it tends to be a part of cultures where women are still considered property. Which is what makes it degrading to women. I get that it’s a matter of opinion—that’s mine.
pancakeslam · 41-45, M
no because only one will be able to assume the position at a time
Nining · F
Polygyny perhaps degrading but Polyandry is good for us women.
bijouxbroussard · F
@Nining Do you know of cultures where women have several husbands as the norm ? Seriously ? I personally don’t know of any, but it may exist.
Nining · F
@bijouxbroussard I understand before, I not sure if anymore today,
but in Padang culture in Sumatra island, Indonesia, women could take more than one husband and culture is matriarchal, women was the boss, men serve women
but in Padang culture in Sumatra island, Indonesia, women could take more than one husband and culture is matriarchal, women was the boss, men serve women
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SW-User
I agree with what you're saying although my understanding is that if everyone in the relationship consents to it and is attracted to each other in an equal sense, then it's called Polyamory? I thought Polygamy was different as that is when there is one person who decides who's in the relationship and who isn't and each member isn't necessarily attracted to each other? I accept if i'm wrong here, as i don't know a lot about this kind of relationship.
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BlueRain · 51-55, F
To each their own
ProfMarston · 41-45, M
@BlueRain PRECISELY! If someone doesn't agree with it, they don't agree with it FOR THEMSELVES. I've had enough of people making blanket statements. I mean, if the child bride doesn't have a say in it then of course it's degrading, but if she's an adult and wants it, how is it degrading? *steps off soapbox.