When a woman has several husbands, then this is known as

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

A polyandrous family is the specific sociological term for a marriage structure where one woman has multiple husbands at the same time.
This is a form of polygamy, which is the general term for having more than one spouse.
Polyandry can be 'fraternal,' where the husbands are brothers, or 'non-fraternal,' where they are unrelated.
This practice is relatively rare globally and is often associated with specific cultural and economic contexts, such as land scarcity.

Option A: A polygynous family describes the opposite situation: one man married to multiple women.
Option B: A patrilineal family defines a system of descent and inheritance through the male line. It does not describe the number of spouses.
Option C: A duolocal family describes a residential pattern where a married couple lives separately, each in their own natal home. It is about location, not the number of partners.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sociological Classifications of Family and Marriage Structures as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding diverse family structures is a core component of cultural competency for nurses. It helps in providing patient-centered care that respects different social norms and family dynamics.
When obtaining a social history or planning care, a nurse's awareness of non-traditional family structures ensures respectful communication and avoids making incorrect assumptions about a patient's support system or next-of-kin.
In some cultures, healthcare decisions may involve multiple spouses or extended family members. Recognizing these structures helps the nurse identify the correct decision-makers and facilitate effective family communication.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'woman' and 'several husbands'. This clearly points to a specific type of marital union.
Next, analyze the prefix of the options. 'Poly-' means 'many'. 'Andro-' relates to 'man', while 'gyno-' relates to 'woman'.
Evaluate 'Polyandrous'. 'Poly' (many) + 'andro' (man) suggests a structure involving many men. This aligns with the question's premise of one woman and several husbands.
Evaluate 'Polygynous'. 'Poly' (many) + 'gyno' (woman) suggests a structure involving many women, which is the opposite of the scenario described.
Eliminate the other options. 'Patrilineal' relates to lineage/descent, and 'Duolocal' relates to residence, neither of which addresses the number of spouses.
Confirm that 'Polyandrous family' is the correct term for a woman with multiple husbands.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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

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