“When Brothers Share a Wife” is a writing piece by Melvyn C. Goldstein. The beginning of the article starts off with Dorje, who is traveling over a 17,000-foot mountain pass to join his two brothers, Pema and Sonam, in a joint marriage to a woman in another village. Dorje, Pema, and Sonam live in Limi which is located in the northwest corner of Nepal. After learning about who the brothers are the article says that the brothers are entering a fraternal polyandry, type of marriage. This type of marriage is “one of the rarest forms of marriage but is not common in Tibetan society, where it has been practiced from time immemorial” (“When Brother Share a Wife”). Fraternal polyandry is where more than one brothers marry a woman together then live …show more content…
Also the article talks about divorce in this kind of society and about if a younger brother wants to leave the marriage. The article then goes into talking about how this marriage is materialistic for this society. Then it goes into Dorje’s reasoning for the marriage along with the wife’s view on the marriage too. Then the article connects to how fraternal polyandry is similar to nineteenth century marriage in England. Even though they are similar, Tibetan “believe that in this way fraternal polyandry reduces risk of fission, monogamous marriage among brother need to necessarily precipitate the division of family estate” (“When Brothers Share a Wife”). Then the article goes into how the author of this article, Melvyn C. Goldstein, asked the Tibetan people on why they marry this way. Some said it makes the family more stable and other said that is keeps conflict from affecting …show more content…
With all the information I learned, I have come to conclusion that Cultural Materialism is what I believe to be the perspective or theory of this culture. Cultural materialism is cultural traits that are based on the resources available to a group. In the article it says that this way of life is materialistic. I believe that it is cultural materialism because the resources that are available to the Tibetan people are animals but there is little agriculture. I order to care for animals someone has to be with them most of the time, which leaves the family alone without a man. Even though the man is out with the animals that family still needs income and everything else. So when brothers marry the same person they are able to take care of many things that would often take longer for a single
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Show MoreAll the way through Migdim's incident with arranged marriages, we can understand the old customs that has to do with marriage. It is obvious that, although women were believed to be obedient, they were capable to effectively convince men. Yet, today there seems to be a sign toward polygamous marriages that are eventu...
Polygamous marriages in Tibet were the basis of an article by Melvyn Goldstein, the articles specific focus was on a unique type of marriage they practice called fraternal polyandry where several Tibetan brothers marry one wife. Age determination is the method in which each brother is place; sexual aspects of the marriage are age-related as well as how children are treated within family groups. Discussed also within the article was family planning and how these polyandry marriage are celebrated.
...ȧ’s objective for writing this non-fiction excerpt was written to get the readers to see the perspective of someone who is in a polygamous relationship, is living in a community society, and for us to understand the abnormality around us. Ryan and Jethȧ presented their argument by first opening up with a simple way to get our attention and then the book ended by showing the readers how polygamy causes problems in a relationship. The authors started with the theme “everyone is different” by mentioning how some villagers would eat herbs, insects and parts of an animal that citizens today would not eat. Then, the two authors spoke of community and nuclear family within different culture of the past, and about being involved in a polygamous or monogamous relationship. In the end, the author brought the reader back to reality by summarizing the book in the last chapter.
Beall, L. (2005). The Impact of Modern-Day Polygamy on Women and Children. Journal of International Cultic Studies, 2 (1), 2-8.
In conclusion, that marital traditions have changed greatly over the centuries and due to this, the opinion of what an ‘ideal marriage” consists of has changes as well. When reviewing the document “On Love and Marriage” the author (a Merchant of Paris) believes that marriage should not be an equal partnership, but one that pleases the husband to avoid conflict. Most women today can be very thankful that these ideas were drastically altered from previous centuries, and that tradition was not carried out onto present day society.
When you look around the world and see all the hate, destruction and annihilation of people and their countries you have to wonder is it because of how they form their families? Let us look at two articles one written by Steve Sailor , The Cousin Marriage Conundrum and the other written by Serena Nanda ,Arranging a Marriage in India. We will look at the practices and protocols of two different countries and cultures through two essays, one that has prearranged marriages India and one that encourages inbreeding by way of marrying first or second cousins.
Cultures have existed for centuries. All over the globe different cultures populated the earth, some originating in the most desolate and unforgiving areas on the planet. All the cultures had to adapt to the region where they lived, and while adapting, they devolved their own way of life, religions, subsistence, political structure, and family structure. Two of these cultures are the Hindu, who resides in India, and the Samburu who are located in Northern Kenya. Both of these cultures are unique in their own way, and have some similarities when it comes to family.
Mention the concept of polygamy in any “civilized” gathering, and you just may be able to see the shiver of repulsion that ripples through the crowd. By substituting the word “polyamory” in, you will be able to circumvent this reaction – but only because everyone is staring at you in baffled silence instead. So we begin, as always, with definitions.
Fletcher-Stack, Peggy. “Polygamy: Not as Rare as You May Think.” Beliefnet. Beliefnet, Inc., 2011. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. .
In my paper I tried to trace Dicken's messages and lessons he teaches the reader on the family issue. By masterly usage of the language the author manages to portray good and bad images in order for us to be able to chose which way to follow and which one to avoid. The principles and components of happy marriage that the author is trying to share with us are simple but at the same time ingenious.
...olyandry: Kinship, Domesticity, and Population on the Tibetan Border. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press.
The Western Religious leaders and moralists believe only one spouse for life is the highest form of marriage. Some of the most "primitive" peoples are strictly monogamous in their ideals, while some "highly advanced" cultures have moved away from the stri...
Polyandry was an acceptable practice as was divorce and remarriage (especially by widows). It is made clear, however, that the practice of polyandry was restricted. The woman would marry her husband and all of his younger brothers were included as shared husbands. Women were not subjected to pay a dowry; in fact it was quite the opposite.
In today’s society the assumption asserts that there must be only two adults integrated in a relationship, however in polygamous environments, having more than one spouse is traditional. Some may argue that Polygamy is simply just an alternate lifestyle. This, however, ceases to be true. Young girls are being forced to marry older men and sometimes relatives. Little boys are often abandoned because it appears to be competition for older men. Children are victims of sexual and physical abuse. Whereas, for women, they generally become stripped of their money and experience competition against the multiple wives a husband. Although Polygamy is viewed as immoral by society, the main focus point should be saving young children and women because
The community allowed the practice of polygamy. In this case, men can marry as many wives as they can maintain. Those with many wives were respected and honored members of the community. Okonkwo who is a main character in the novel had many wives and this was as a symbol of strength. In such a family set-up, the man lived in a separate house from all his wives. Each wife had a house of her own where she lived with her children. This was aimed at enhan...