Mating ideals and reproductive preferences

¶ … marriage that I consider to be contrary to the ideals I hold. This essay will discuss how polygamy and incest-based marriage is diametrically opposed to my own personal views on matrimony and marriage. This essay will also discuss the role of bride wealth or dowry in our society today. Finally this essay will examine Herzog's (2009) film that captured the mating rituals of the Wodabbe culture in Central Africa.

Polygamy and Incest

The text defined polygamy as " the marriage between one man and two or more women." Polygamy represents a male dominated family unit that is typified by many offspring and large families. This practice has been idealized throughout the Mormon religious cult and other international societies more tolerant on this form of marriage and lifestyle.

There seems to be advantages for all parties involved in polygamy and I realize that this way of life may work in some cultures. In today's world however, the liberated female attitudes view this arrangement as unequal and degrading the female version of the species. The economics of a polygamous family unit seem to be attractive as more contributors to the family may result in more available resources. This may not outweigh the emotional demands of the man of the family and ultimately result in dysfunction.

Throughout history, incest has been used as a means to secure family power structures and control the course of events for empires and kingdoms. The text describes incest as a taboo that "occurs fairly widely in human societies, so avoiding it is not instinctual. It is a learned cultural response to the possible biological consequences of inbreeding, (p.222). The social ramifications of this practice today are unthinkable but in some areas of our culture there are examples of these relationships. My personal taste in the opposite sex, learned or inherited, finds this practice not personally pleasing at find that societies that build their environment in such ways are not something I want to be a part of.

Modern Attitudes on Dowry

Bride wealth and dowry-based marriages are based on economic principles that are or were needed in some instances to keep the flow of life moving. Economics are such a tool to assist mankind in his travels. The synthesizing of marriage and economics makes sense in many areas of the world were a less sophisticated environment of economics is present. Power and politics are also elements of economic development, and the use of the family's daughter as a tangible economic asset, is an understandable, yet not preferable way to organize a society.

In western society today, this idea is still practiced, but not formalized or embraced in any standardized manner. The term "marrying for money" occurs from both sexes in today's world and the ideas of marriage as an economic exchange is a much more current and applicable term for the practice in modern times. A nest egg, law settlement, job contract, bank account, retirement fund, real estate or stocks and bonds can all be viewed as modern day dowries, that when legally joined together at marriage, belong to both members of the party. To sidestep some of these legalities and to further nullify the effects of marriage as an economic exchange, pre-nuptial legal agreements can be made to protect people from this vulnerability.

Wodabbe Cultural Comparisons

Herzog's (2009) documentary, Wodabbe: Herdsmen of the Sun, presented interesting context to view today's western mating cultures against. The film presented interesting aspects of how these people may choose their mates, and how this ritual has supplied these people with a suitable method of navigating their unique pathway in life. The culture expressed by the Wodabbe in this film, is foreign to the western mind in many ways. Their nomadic disposition and dependence on their livestock creates an environment that is not extremely relatble to the western frame of mind.