Patrilineal Descent

Matrilineal Descent

Dual Descent

Bilateral Descent

Marital Structure

Is it possible to generate a logically consistent etic explanation for why different forms of marriage are commonly practiced in various societies?

Consider the following questions:

1.      Under what conditions is polygyny more likely to be practiced?

2.      Under what conditions is polyandry more likely to be practiced?

3.      Under what conditions is monogamy more likely to be practiced?

4.      Under what conditions is single-parenthood more likely to be practiced?

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 5.      What are the costs vs. benefits of having children in foraging societies?

6.      What are the costs vs. benefits of having children in subsistence based  horticultural and agricultural societies?

7.      What are the costs vs. benefits of having children in urban industrial societies?

8.      What are the costs vs. benefits of having children in post-industrial (hyperindustrial) societies?