Anthropology

Assignment 6 – Due April 23

Choose one of the following marriage practices discussed in Chapter 12 which are uncommon or entirely absent in the United States: arranged marriage, polygyny, or bride wealth. What purpose does this practice serve in the societies/cultures that emply it? Why is this important to those societies? In your own culture, are there different practices that address the same issue, or is the issue not an “issue” in your culture? (For example: The Nandi practice of having “female husbands” addresses the problem of married women who do not have sons, which matters because wives can't inherit from their husbands; only sons can inherit from their fathers. In the U.S., that isn't much of a concern; and if it were, we'd address it through reproductive technologies or adoption, not through female husbands.)

** Be sure your name is on the assignment itself, not just the email to which you attach it. **

Your total should be 750-800 words (2-3 pages double-spaced); in other words, more than just a sentence or two about each. Remember, this is replacing part of an exam grade, so it should be given adequate time and attention, not hurriedly dashed off five minutes before the deadline. :-)