Polygyny and Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa

• DOI: 10.2307/jj.8306262.12
• Publication Date: 2023-11-06T20:24:35Z
• Authors: Anne R. Pebley; Wariara Mbugua
• Keywords: Polygyny; Sexual abstinence

The incidence of polygyny, its effect on fertility, and future in sub-Saharan Africa are discussed from results the World Fertility Surveys. Polygyny, marriage which husbands have more than 1 wife, is frequent most southern West western Central Africa. proportion men polygynous marriages ranged form 9% Lesotho to 48% Senegal. In Kenya Ivory Cast, wives unions average child less those monogamous unions. may decreased by separate residences, age differences, subfecundity some wives, possibly higher prevalence sexually transmitted disease stricter observance these societies postpartum abstinence prolonged lactation. Contrary expectations based social changes Africa, polygyny apparently increasing, although no retrospective data were collected b Future fertility trends areas expected remain high, even if at for women rises, because lessened adherence taboos sexual abstinence, with continued lack contraception.