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Gould, Eric D.,
Omer Moav, and
Avi Simhon. 2008. "The Mystery of Monogamy."
,
98(1): 333-57.
Show Article Details
DOI: 10.1257/aer.98.1.333
Abstract:We examine why developed societies are monogamous while rich men throughout
history have typically practiced polygyny. Wealth inequality naturally produces
multiple wives for rich men in a standard model of the marriage market.
However, we demonstrate that higher female inequality in the marriage market
reduces polygyny. Moreover, we show that female inequality increases in the
process of development as women are valued more for the quality of their children
than for the quantity. Consequently, male inequality generates inequality
in the number of wives per man in traditional societies, but manifests itself as
inequality in the quality of wives in developed societies. (JEL J12, J16, J24, Z13)
Authors:
Gould, Eric D. (Hebrew U Jerusalem and IZA, Bonn)
Moav, Omer (Hebrew U Jerusalem and Royal Holloway College, U London)
Simhon, Avi (Hebrew U Jerusalem)
JEL Classifications:
J12: Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure; Domestic Abuse
J16: Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
J24: Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
Z13: Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology
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