Polygamy is?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Polygamy is the practice of being married to more than one spouse at the same time.
The option "Having more than one wife at a time" describes polygyny, which is the most common form of polygamy.
In many general knowledge and sociology questions, polygamy is used synonymously with polygyny, making this the best answer among the choices.
Source SRC_28963 explicitly states, "When a man is married to more than one wife at a time, it is called polygamy/polygyny.".

Option A: This describes monogamy, which is the practice of having only one spouse at a time.
Option C: This describes serial monogamy, where a person has a series of spouses one after another, but not at the same time.
Option D: This describes polyandry, which is a specific type of polygamy where a woman has more than one husband. While a form of polygamy, the term is most commonly associated with a man having multiple wives (polygyny).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sociological definitions of marriage systems as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding different marriage systems is crucial in sociology and anthropology for analyzing family structures, kinship, and social organization across various cultures.
In some societies, polygamy has historical, religious, or economic justifications, which can impact inheritance laws, social status, and gender roles.
A nurse's awareness of diverse family structures, including polygamous relationships, is essential for providing culturally competent care, especially in matters of consent, family dynamics, and social support systems.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'Polygamy'.
Recall the sociological definition of polygamy: the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time. Recognize that this is an umbrella term.
Evaluate each option against this definition.
Option A ('Having one wife at a time') is the definition of monogamy.
Option C ('Keeping second wife after divorcing the first one') describes a sequence of partners, not simultaneous ones, which is serial monogamy.
Options B and D are both types of polygamy. Option B describes polygyny (man with multiple wives), and Option D describes polyandry (woman with multiple husbands).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

Practise the full PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

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