Hum Nat June 2012 PMID 22688804

A survey of non-classical polyandry.

Katherine E Starkweather, Raymond Hames

Mentions

13
Peak: 2 in Nov 2024
across 4 sources since Aug 2012

Extended reach

16,091
potential audience

Total likes

335

Video views

13,890

Mentions per month

Aug 2012 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News6 articles
  • X / Twitter4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions include nuanced views on polyandry, with examples like the mention of societal equality and gender ratios, indicating interest in diverse explanations. The tone varies from analytical to skeptical, emphasizing the topic's complexity and drawing on multiple perspectives, which contributes to the overall moderate scores across dimensions.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many discussants seem to generally agree that polyandry has more complex causes than simple economic reasons, especially noting its ties to societal structure and evolutionary responses.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show strong interest in the topic, with some questioning the underlying causes and implications, indicating engagement with the subject matter.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several contributions reflect thoughtful engagement, such as referencing studies and debating its social/cultural significance.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussions highlight relevant considerations, they are mostly exploratory and don't suggest a transformative impact on broader societal views.

Abstract in brief

  • The study identifies 53 societies outside Himalayan and Marquesean areas that practice polyandry, aiming to describe their characteristics and explore causes.
  • It finds that polyandry, while considered rare, is more widespread than believed, especially in egalitarian societies, and likely existed in early human history.
  • The researchers suggest polyandry may be an evolutionary response to high male-biased sex ratios, male mortality, or absenteeism, although other factors may also play a role.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Raymond Hames (@rayhames.bsky.social)
@HamesRaymond · X

@CostelloWilliam @Cobratate @DrThomasAG He's got polyandry wrong when he says it's designed "...to avoid dividing family assets." There are other reasons: See https://t.co/WgF9bwh4Xl

Jul 22, 2025 · 2 likes · 752 followers View post →
The Multiversity Project
@multiversitypro · X

Is there evidence to suggest that the human tendency towards polygamy and the female tendency towards hypergamy may be more socially constructed than innate, if they exist at all? https://t.co/rDRPZFEd3D #relationshipanarchy #polyamory #evopsych https://t.co/dPmZ7vki30

Mar 16, 2020 · 1 like · 53 followers View post →
Dr. Justin Mogilski
@justin_mogilski · X

@wontsomeonethi2 I think you’re right that women will tend not to marry multiple men. But there are certainly circumstances where polyandry makes sense, and things are worse where there are fewer norms to guide these unions. https://t.co/wnc0wAGDBp

Dec 7, 2024 · 954 followers View post →
Mauro Silva Jr
@M_SilvaJunior · X

Mas há estudos também que associam a poliandria a sociedades igualitárias, e pode ser mais provável de ocorrer em sociedades com maior razão sexual (mais homens na população) em resposta a altas taxas de mortalidade e absenteísmo masculino https://t.co/WIPUkD5mcY

Nov 5, 2022 · 373 followers View post →

All mentions

Raymond Hames (@rayhames.bsky.social)
@HamesRaymond · X

@CostelloWilliam @Cobratate @DrThomasAG He's got polyandry wrong when he says it's designed "...to avoid dividing family assets." There are other reasons: See https://t.co/WgF9bwh4Xl

Jul 22, 2025 · 2 likes · 752 followers View post →
Dr. Justin Mogilski
@justin_mogilski · X

@wontsomeonethi2 I think you’re right that women will tend not to marry multiple men. But there are certainly circumstances where polyandry makes sense, and things are worse where there are fewer norms to guide these unions. https://t.co/wnc0wAGDBp

Dec 7, 2024 · 954 followers View post →
Mauro Silva Jr
@M_SilvaJunior · X

Mas há estudos também que associam a poliandria a sociedades igualitárias, e pode ser mais provável de ocorrer em sociedades com maior razão sexual (mais homens na população) em resposta a altas taxas de mortalidade e absenteísmo masculino https://t.co/WIPUkD5mcY

Nov 5, 2022 · 373 followers View post →
The Multiversity Project
@multiversitypro · X

Is there evidence to suggest that the human tendency towards polygamy and the female tendency towards hypergamy may be more socially constructed than innate, if they exist at all? https://t.co/rDRPZFEd3D #relationshipanarchy #polyamory #evopsych https://t.co/dPmZ7vki30

Mar 16, 2020 · 1 like · 53 followers View post →
Explaining Human Culture (TS, HRAF) | PDF | Hunter Gatherer ...
News

10.1007/s12110-012-9144-x. Stephens, William. 1963. The Family in Cross-Cultural Perspective. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Wilson. Textor, Robert B ...

Dec 17, 2025 View →
Marriage and Family | PDF
News

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40806-017-0085-9. Ayres, Barbara. 1974. “Bride ... 10.1007/s12110-012-9144-x. Stephens, William. 1963. The Family in Cross ...

Dec 17, 2025 View →
Wedded Wife A Feminist History of Marriage (Ms. Rachael Lennon ...
News

7 Ibid. 8 K.E. Starkweather and R. Hames, 'A Survey of Non-Classical Polyandry', Human Nature, 23, 149–72 (2012)

Dec 17, 2025 View →
2024 11 19 24317603v1 Full | PDF | Marriage | Polygamy
News

doi: 10.1007/s12110-012-9144-x 4. Zeitzen, M. K. (2020). Polygamy: A cross-cultural analysis. Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003086390 5 ...

Nov 20, 2024 View →
Polygamy - Wikipedia - 1645350807669 | PDF | Polygamy ...
News

doi:10.1007/s12110-012-9144-x(https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs12110-012-9144-x) . PMID 22688804 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22688804) ...

Sep 13, 2023 View →
Çokkocalılık (Poliandri) Nedir? İnsan Toplumlarında Bir Kadının Çok ...
Blogs

... 10.1007/s12110-012-9144-x. | Arşiv Bağlantısı; ^ N. E. Johnson, et al. (1991). Matriarchy, Polyandry, And Fertility Amongst The Mosuos In ...

Feb 9, 2021 View →
Multiple husbands serve as child support and life insurance in some ...
News

Starkweather, Raymond Hames. A Survey of Non-Classical Polyandry. Human Nature, 2012; 23 (2): 149 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-012-9144-x ...

Aug 2, 2012 View →