A form of marriage in which one woman marries more than one man at a given time is known as:

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

Polyandry is a form of polygamy where a woman takes two or more husbands at the same time.
The term is derived from the Greek words 'poly' (meaning many) and 'andros' (meaning man).
This form of marriage is rare but is practiced in certain cultures, for example, among the Todas tribe in India.
It can be fraternal (where husbands are brothers) or non-fraternal.

Option B: Exogamy is a social rule that dictates marriage must occur outside of a particular social group, clan, or tribe. It is a rule of mate selection, not a form of marriage based on the number of partners.
Option C: Monogamy is the practice of being married to only one person at a time. This is the opposite of the scenario described in the question.
Option D: Endogamy is a social rule that requires an individual to marry within a specific social group, caste, or community. Like exogamy, it is a rule governing mate selection, not the number of spouses.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sociological Concepts of Marriage as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding different family structures and marriage practices is crucial for providing culturally competent nursing care.
A patient's family structure can influence decision-making, support systems, and health-seeking behaviors. Nurses must be non-judgmental and respectful of diverse cultural norms.
What if? If a patient from a polyandrous family is admitted, the nurse must recognize that multiple husbands may be involved in her care and decision-making. Hospital policies regarding visitation and information sharing may need to be navigated sensitively.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question stem: 'one woman', 'marries more than one man'.
This is a definition-based question requiring factual recall from sociology.
Analyze the options provided. Each option is a specific sociological term related to marriage.
Recall the definition of each term. 'Poly' means many, and 'andros' means man. This directly points to 'Polyandry'.
Eliminate the other options based on their definitions: Monogamy (one partner), Exogamy (marrying outside a group), and Endogamy (marrying within a group).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Applied Sociology for Nurses TK Indrani pp. 162-164, 161-163, 160-162

Practise the full IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.