Marriage transactions: labor, property, status

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 90 • Published In 1988 • Pages: 291-309 •

By Schlegel, Alice, Eloul, Rohn

Abstract

This paper proposes that marriage transactions are mechanisms by which households meet labor needs, distribute property, and maintain or enhance status. The authors find that type of marriage transaction is related to subsistence type and social stratification. In particular, bridewealth is more common where property is limited while dowry is more common among property-owning classes.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)

Hypotheses (4)
Hypothesis	Supported
Distribution of marriage transactions will be associated with subsistence technology such that dowry is more common in agricultural societies (295-6).	Supported
Distribution of marriage transactions will be associated with social stratification such that dowry is more common in stratified societies (296-7).	Supported
Distribution of marriage transactions will be associated with postmarital residence (297-8).	Not Supported
Distribution of marriage transactions will be associated with female contribution to subsistence such that bridewealth is more common where female contribution is high (298-9).	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings Amelia Piazza

Marriage transactions: labor, property, status

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 90 • Published In 1988 • Pages: 291-309 • Cite

By Schlegel, Alice, Eloul, Rohn

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (4)

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 90 • Published In 1988 • Pages: 291-309 •