Polygyny is?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Polygyny is a specific type of polygamy where a man is married to multiple wives simultaneously.
It can be further classified into sororal polygyny (where the wives are sisters) and non-sororal polygyny (where the wives are not related).
The term is derived from the Greek words 'poly' meaning many, and 'gyny' meaning woman or wife.

Option A: Having one wife at a time is termed monogamy, not polygyny.
Option C: Keeping a second wife after divorcing the first one is an example of serial monogamy, as the individual only has one spouse at any given time.
Option D: Having two or more husbands at a time is termed polyandry, not polygyny.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Forms of marriage in sociology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding family structures and marriage forms helps nurses assess the social support systems and cultural backgrounds of patients.
What if a patient belongs to a polygynous family? The nurse must respect cultural diversity while assessing family dynamics, decision-making roles, and potential psychological stressors.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the root words in the term provided in the question.
Recall that 'poly' means many, and 'gyny' refers to women or females.
Combine the meanings to understand that polygyny means having many wives.
Differentiate it from 'polyandry' (many husbands) and 'monogamy' (one spouse) to eliminate incorrect options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

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.