Polygyny and polyandry are both forms of polygamy as both involve having multiple spouses. Talking about Polygyny vs Polyandry, Polygyny is the practice of a man having multiple wives simultaneously while polyandry is the practice of a woman having various husbands simultaneously. Though both practices are not common in today’s society as monogamy is practiced as the norm, many debates about Polygyny vs polyandry its existence, acceptance, and impact on society at large seem endless.
For some, it sounds good but for many, it sounds absurd so let’s discuss some and compare polygyny vs polyandry and understand more about both forms of relationships
Comparison of Polygyny Vs Polyandry on different parameter levels
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Characteristics
Polygyny
Polyandry
Definition
The practice of a man having multiple wives simultaneously is called polygyny
The practice of a woman having multiple husbands simultaneously is called polyandry
Term Origin
The term polygyny originates from the Greek words “Poly” and “gynos” where poly means many and gynos means “woman or Wife
The term polyandry originates from the Greek words “Poly” and “Andros where poly means many and “Andros” means man”.
Occurrence
Polygyny is more common than Polyandry, it may occur in imbalance societies where there are more women than men, the first wife cannot bear children because of infertility issues or can to add the economic benefits of the household with another earner, taboo cultural reasons surrounding women’s mensuration, pregnancy, and lactation periods allowing a man to have sexual relations with other wives or religious beliefs
Polyandry is rare compared to polygyny it also occurs in societies where there is a man-women imbalance, Scarce environmental/financial resources, poverty-stricken
Spouse
One Husband and multiple spouses
One Wife and multiple husbands
Legality
Some Muslim-majority countries allow polygyny under certain conditions and circumstances only but most of elsewhere it’s illegal
Mostly illegal all over the world
Types
Sororal Polygyny – The wives are sisters
Non–Sororal Polygyny– The wives are unrelated
Levirate Marriage – The heir of the deceased man or his brother inherits his wife
Fraternal Polyandry – The husbands are brothers
Non-Fraternal – The husbands are unrelated
Society acceptance
In the decline
Almost decline
Rights
Women have fewer rights
Women have fewer rights
Impact on children
Children tend to get neglected out of jealousy from different mothers which is just the opposite of what polygyny was practiced for.
Mothers are more affectionate towards children than fathers for obvious reasons
Dominance
Men always dominate these kinds of practice
Men always dominate these Kind of practice
CONCLUSION
Polygyny or polyandry, are both practices that are hard to accept in today’s society, the idea of many wives or many husbands speaks of all the doubts in a relationship, infidelity, cheating, not committed, low dignity, disrespect, trust issues, jealousy These arrangements are more of a compulsion related to serious problems depending on the geographical, Financial, necessity or taboo or old age practice and does not fit in today’s society the freedom of choice or the freedom to live my way doesn’t free you from the responsibilities you owe to the society and harmony of relationships.
Both polygyny and polyandry many times can lead to health and mental issues. Which is hard to overcome, having said that, let’s leave it to the wisdom of men and women of today’s society to decide what is best for their life.
Q&A
Q1. What is polygyny?
The practice of men having multiple wives simultaneously is called polygyny.
Q2. What is Polyandry?
The practice of women having multiple husbands simultaneously is called polyandry.
Q3. What is Monogamy?
Monogamy is being Married to one spouse at a time
Q4.What is Polygamy?
Married to more than one spouse at the same time is called polygamy.
Q5.What are the types of polygamy?
It is mainly classified into three types Polygyny, Polyandry, and group marriage
