Which of the following is a type of family in which a woman has more than one husband simultaneously?

UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Applied Sociology

Easy

Appeared in: UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Explanation

A polyandrous family is defined as a marriage where one woman has multiple husbands at the same time.
The term 'polyandry' comes from Greek roots: 'poly-' meaning 'many' and '-andry' meaning 'man' or 'husband'.
This form of marriage is a type of polygamy (multiple partners) and is distinct from polygyny, where a man has multiple wives.
Societies that have practiced polyandry, such as the Todas in India, often did so for economic or demographic reasons, like a scarcity of women or to prevent the division of land.

Option A: The term 'Premarital Family' refers to the family a person belongs to before they get married (family of origin). It does not describe a type of marital union.
Option B: A monogamous family is based on a marriage between only two people, one man and one woman. This is the opposite of the scenario described in the question.
Option C: A matriarchal family defines the power structure within a family, where the eldest female is the head and holds authority. It does not relate to the number of spouses a person has.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sociological Classification of Family and Marriage as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
As a nurse, understanding diverse family structures, including those that differ from the norm in one's own culture, is essential for providing culturally competent and non-judgmental care.
Knowledge of a patient's family structure and social support system is crucial for holistic assessment, care planning, and discharge teaching.
What if a nurse encounters a patient from a community that practices polyandry? The nurse must respectfully acknowledge this family structure when taking a family history, identifying next of kin, and discussing care, without imposing personal biases.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully read the question to identify the specific definition required: a family type where a woman has more than one husband simultaneously.
Next, analyze the meaning of each option. Use word roots if possible. 'Mono-' means one, 'poly-' means many, 'gyny' relates to women, and 'andry' relates to men.
Eliminate 'Monogamous family' as it means one partner, which contradicts the question.
Eliminate 'Matriarchal family' as 'matri-' refers to the mother, and this term relates to authority, not the number of partners.
Eliminate 'Premarital Family' as it refers to the family of origin before marriage, not a type of marriage itself.
Identify 'Polyandrous family' ('many husbands') as the term that directly matches the definition provided in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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