The Impact of Women’s Socioeconomic Position on Marriage Patterns in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author(s)
Kaufmann, Georgia L.; Meekers, Dominique
Abstract
The interest of demographers in nuptiality has tended to be in its relation to fertility, particularly given the high fertility rates common in less-developed countries. Recently, however, marriage patterns have been the focus of attention in their own right, enabling a reevaluation of the received wisdom. This article follows a line of thought suggested by this reassessment, exploring the relationship between the status of women and marriage patterns, and briefly describing the African nuptiality regime that has emerged from the analysis.
