Which term describes a society in which husband and wife are equal?

Which term describes a society in which husband and wife are equal?

• A. Egalitarian
• B. Patrilocal residence
• C. Matrilocal
• D. Neolocal

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is gender equality in family structure. When a society is described as egalitarian, men and women have equal status, rights, and access to resources, and share in decision-making and responsibilities. This is different from residence patterns after marriage—patrilocal means living with the husband’s family, matrilocal means living with the wife’s family, and neolocal means starting a new, independent household. These terms describe where a couple lives relative to kin, not how power or resources are distributed between spouses. So the term that best describes a society where husband and wife are equal is egalitarian.

The main idea here is gender equality in family structure. When a society is described as egalitarian, men and women have equal status, rights, and access to resources, and share in decision-making and responsibilities. This is different from residence patterns after marriage—patrilocal means living with the husband’s family, matrilocal means living with the wife’s family, and neolocal means starting a new, independent household. These terms describe where a couple lives relative to kin, not how power or resources are distributed between spouses. So the term that best describes a society where husband and wife are equal is egalitarian.