Question 1

In tribal societies, unlike industrial ones, marriage entails only an agreement between the people getting married; descent groups play only a minor role.

Accepted Answer

In tribal societies, marriage often involves complex agreements between descent groups or families, not just the individuals getting married, playing a significant role in social alliances, economic exchanges, and the transfer of rights and responsibilities.

Question 2

Although briefly popular after its introduction, online dating never became a significant part of the marriage market.

Accepted Answer

Online dating has become a significant part of the marriage market, with about 39% of heterosexual couples and 60% of same-sex couples meeting online in 2020.

Question 3

In a study among the Hopi of northeastern Arizona, more than a third of the women of the community had been divorced at least once, which correlates with the fact that these women were socially and economically insecure.

Accepted Answer

The high divorce rate among the Hopi does not necessarily correlate with social and economic insecurity. In Hopi society, divorce has traditionally been relatively simple and free of stigma, reflecting more on the flexibility of marital bonds and gender roles within their culture rather than on economic or social insecurity.

Question 4

Cross-culturally, divorce is known only in industrialized societies where a high percentage of women are gainfully employed.

Accepted Answer

Divorce has been documented in a wide range of societies, not just industrialized ones, and its occurrence is influenced by various cultural, legal, and personal factors, not solely the employment status of women.

Question 5

Dowries are most common in societies in which women occupy an elevated status position.

Accepted Answer

Dowries are most common in societies in which women occupy a lower status position, as they serve as a way to compensate for the perceived burden of supporting a daughter who cannot contribute economically to the family. In some cases, dowries can even be a form of payment to the groom's family for taking the daughter off the parents' hands.

Question 6

As of 2018, same-sex marriage was legal in most countries.

Accepted Answer

As of 2018, same-sex marriage was legal in only about 25 countries, which is far from most countries worldwide.

Question 7

Serial polygamy is the practice of having more than one wife, but never more than one at the same time.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Serial polygamy is the practice of having...

Question 8

In almost all cases of marriage in nonindustrial societies, some kind of preexisting social relationship between any two individuals helps determine whether they may marry.

Accepted Answer

In nonindustrial societies, social relationships such as family ties, clan membership, and village or tribal membership often play a significant role in determining who can or cannot marry. Therefore, some type of preexisting social relationship is usually a factor in most marriages in nonindustrial societies.

Question 9

If Hannah marries her deceased husband's brother, the arrangement is considered a levirate marriage.

Accepted Answer

This is true. In a levirate marriage, a widow marries the brother of her deceased husband in order to carry on his line and provide for her economically. This practice is found in many cultures and is also mentioned in the Bible.

Question 10

With polyandry, a woman takes more than one husband at one time.

Accepted Answer

Polyandry refers to a form of marriage where a woman has multiple husbands simultaneously.

Question 11

Polygynous marriages often serve important economic and political functions, with the number of wives a man has serving as an indicator of his wealth, prestige, and status.

Accepted Answer

Polygynous marriages have been observed in societies where a man's status and wealth are measured by the number of wives he has. In such societies, having multiple wives can signify a man's ability to provide for a large family and his social and political influence. However, it is important to note that not all polygynous marriages serve these functions and there are also practical considerations such as ensuring the continuation of family lines or providing for the care of widows and their children.

Quiz 13: Families, Kinship, and Marriage