Fenske, James (2013): African polygamy: Past and present.
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Abstract
I use DHS data to test nine hypotheses about the prevalence and decline of African polygamy. First, greater female involvement in agriculture does not increase polygamy. Second, past inequality better predicts polygamy today than does current inequality. Third, the slave trade only predicts polygamy across broad regions. Fourth, modern female education does not reduce polygamy. Colonial schooling does. Fifth, economic growth has eroded polygamy. Sixth and seventh, rainfall shocks and war increase polygamy, though their effects are small. Eighth, polygamy varies smoothly over borders, national bans notwithstanding. Finally, falling child mortality has reduced polygamy.
Item Type: | MPRA Paper |
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Original Title: | African polygamy: Past and present |
Language: | English |
Keywords: | Africa, polygamy, institutions, family structures, economic development, economic history. |
Subjects: | N - Economic History > N5 - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and Extractive Industries > N57 - Africa ; Oceania O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O10 - General |
Item ID: | 48526 |
Depositing User: | James Fenske |
Date Deposited: | 23 Jul 2013 07:55 |
Last Modified: | 26 Sep 2019 08:58 |
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URI: | https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/id/eprint/48526 |
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African polygamy: Past and present. (deposited 28 Sep 2012 20:13)
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African polygamy: Past and present. (deposited 30 Nov 2012 13:14)
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African polygamy: Past and present. (deposited 30 Nov 2012 13:14)