The colonial struggle over polygamy: Consequences for educational expansion in sub-Saharan Africa

Economic History of Developing Regions • Vol/Iss. N/A • Informa UK • London • Published In • Pages: 1-23 •
By Becker, Bastian

Abstract

In this study, the author closely examines the educational outcomes of Christian missions in sub-Saharan African societies. He shows that there was local demand for formal education, but theorizes that this demand decreased in polygamous societies as Christian missionaries required monogamy for entry. His results show areas that experienced this struggle over polygamy are associated with worse educational outcomes than those that did not.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Other researchers840 ethnic groups in Africa
Demographic and Health SurveysOther researchers26 African countries
Roome 1924 map, digitized by Nunn 2014Other researchersLocation of missions

Hypotheses (5)

HypothesisSupported
Primary school completion and literacy rates will be negatively correlated with distance to missions.Supported
Presence of polygamy will be negatively correlated with primary school completion and literacy rates in the immediate proximity of missions.Supported
Differences in primary school completion and literacy rates between polygamous and non-polygamous societies will disappear with greater distance from missions.Supported
Presence of a mission in a society will be positively correlated with primary school completion and literacy rates.Supported
Presence of a mission in a polygamous society will be negatively correlated with primary school completion and literacy rates.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: anj.droe