Polygyny : This is a form of marriage in which a man marries more than one woman. Polygyny as a polygamous form of marriage which is more popular than polyandry.
Polygyny may be of the following types :
• Sororal polygyny : In this type of polygyny, the man marries a number of women simultaneous who are sisters.
• Non-sororal polygyny : In this type, the several wives of the man are not related as sisters of each other.
Causes of polygyny may include the following :
• When there are more number of females as compared to the males.
• When women contribute economically to the family.
• Sometimes the first wife may force the husband to bring in a second wife to reduce her work load at home.
• Childlessness of the first wife can lead to the addition of a second wife into the family.
Polyandry : In this type of marriage one woman is married to several men at the same time.
Polyandry may be of the following types :
• Fraternal : When several brothers are married to the same woman.
• Non-fraternal : When the several husbands of the woman need not be related as brothers. However both of these types of polyandry should not be confused with ‘wife sharing’ or ‘wife-lending’.
Causes for polyandry may include the following :
• Scarcity of women.
• Heavy bride price.
• Poverty and sterility of men
