What is the term for a form of marriage in which a woman has two or more husbands at the same time?

Appeared in: HPSSC - 2015

Explanation

Polyandry is the specific term for a marriage where one woman is simultaneously married to two or more men.
This form of marriage is rare but has been documented in certain societies, often due to specific economic or social conditions.
The term is derived from Greek: 'poly-' meaning 'many' and '-andry' from 'anēr' meaning 'man'.

Option A: Polygyny describes a marriage where a man has multiple wives, which is the opposite of what the question asks.
Option C: Monogamy is the practice of being married to only one person at a time.
Option D: Endogamy is a social rule that dictates one must marry within a specific group (like a caste, clan, or tribe). It does not specify 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.
Cultural Competence: Understanding different family structures, including non-monogamous marriages like polyandry, is essential for nurses to provide culturally sensitive and non-judgmental care.
Patient Communication: A nurse's awareness of diverse family arrangements helps in building trust and communicating effectively with patients and their families, ensuring all relevant partners are included in care discussions if the patient consents.
What if?: What if a female patient lists two men as her husbands on an admission form? The nurse should respectfully acknowledge this family structure without expressing surprise or judgment. This approach fosters a therapeutic relationship and ensures accurate documentation of the patient's support system.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements in the question: 'woman' and 'two or more husbands'.
Next, analyze the options provided, which are all sociological terms related to marriage.
Recall or deduce the meaning of the prefixes. 'Poly-' means 'many', 'mono-' means 'one', '-gyny' relates to women, and '-andry' relates to men.
Apply this knowledge: 'Polyandry' literally translates to 'many men', which directly matches the question's description.
Eliminate the other options based on their definitions: Polygyny (many women), Monogamy (one partner), and Endogamy (marrying within a group).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

Practise the full HPSSC - 2015

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