Affiliations: Structural Determinants of Differential Divorce Rates

American Journal of Sociology • Vol/Iss. 69(1) • The University of Chicago Press • • Published In • Pages: 13-20 •
By Ackerman, Charles

Abstract

Ackerman performs a cross-cultural analysis on the structural determinants of divorce rate as originally hypothesized by Max Gluckman and elaborated on by other researchers. Ackerman's results suggest that when spouses share a network of affiliation, divorce rates are low; when spouses maintain separate affiliations, divorce rates are high. Ackerman's statistical analysis and discussion provide an explanatory framework for further research.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)
compendium of coded data

Hypotheses (4)

HypothesisSupported
The levirate, which completely severs the wife from her prior affiliations and incorporates her into her husband's affiliations, should be a sufficient condition, in societies practicing it, to produce a low divorce rate (475)Supported
By combining both community and consanguine endogamy, achieving a maximum of conjunctive affiliation, societies should have a strengthened association with low divorce rate. The reverse should be true for societies with combined community and consanguine exogamy (473)Supported
"Low divorce rates are associated with community endogamy, and high divorce rates are associated with community exogamy" (472)Supported
"Low divorce rates are associated with consaguine endogamy, and high divorce rates are associated with consanguine exogamy" (472)Supported (marginally)
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: matthew.g.roth  mas  emily.pitek