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GCSE Sociology · key term
A marriage arrangement in which an individual has more than one spouse at the same time.
Used by AQA and Eduqas
Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: Family forms, diversity and relationshipsPolygamy means having more than one spouse at the same time. For example, an individual with two spouses simultaneously is in a polygamous arrangement. Its two forms are polygyny, where a man has more than one wife at once, and polyandry, where a woman has more than one husband at once.
Component 1
Being married to more than one spouse at the same time.
Polygamy is the umbrella term; polygyny and polyandry are its two forms. Serial monogamy involves successive partners, not several spouses at the same time.
Distinguish polygamy from serial monogamy: several spouses at the same time versus successive marriages with one spouse at a time.
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Someone who divorces and later remarries is therefore not practising polygamy. Serial monogamy shows that monogamous marriage does not necessarily mean staying with the same partner throughout life.
