Living quarter arrangements in polygyny and circumcision and segregation of males at puberty

Ethnology • Vol/Iss. 13 • Published In • Pages: 401-413 •
By Kitahara, Michio

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between polygynous living quarter arrangements and the presence or absence of circumcision and segregation of males at puberty. The amount of contact between the father and son is also examined as a factor.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas Summary (EASum)Living arrangements assessed with regard to independent polygynous families

Hypotheses (6)

HypothesisSupported
In polygynous societies, separate living quarters for co-wives are positively associated with male circumcision at puberty (404).Supported
In polygynous societies, separate living quarters for co-wives are positively associated with male segregation at puberty (404).Supported
In polygynous societies, separate living quarters for co-wives are positively associated with male circumcision and/or male segregation at puberty (405).Supported
In polygynous societies, separate living quarters for co-wives and a long postpartum sex taboo are associated with male circumcision and/or segregation at puberty (406-407).Supported
". . . a long post-partum sexual taboo could become instrumental in increasing the possibility of circumcision and/or segregation only when it is present in societies having separate living quarters for co-wives" (408)Not Supported
"In polygynous societies, if each co-wife lives in a separate quarter with her children, and if there is a long post-partum sexual taboo, males are most likely to be circumcised and/or segregated at puberty, compared with societies [which lack one or the other of these factors]" (406).UNKNOWN
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Jessie Cohen