What is the term for a system in which one man has multiple wives?

What is the term for a system in which one man has multiple wives?

• A. Endogamy
• B. Exogamy
• C. Matrilineal
• D. Polygyny

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how marriage arrangements define who can be married and to whom. The term for a system where one man has multiple wives is polygyny. It specifically refers to a single husband being married to more than one wife at the same time. Endogamy and exogamy describe whether marriages occur within or outside a defined group, not how many spouses are involved. Matrilineal describes descent traced through the mother's line, not the structure of marriage. So polygyny is the correct term.

The key idea is how marriage arrangements define who can be married and to whom. The term for a system where one man has multiple wives is polygyny. It specifically refers to a single husband being married to more than one wife at the same time. Endogamy and exogamy describe whether marriages occur within or outside a defined group, not how many spouses are involved. Matrilineal describes descent traced through the mother's line, not the structure of marriage. So polygyny is the correct term.