A Reformulation of the Polygyny-Fertility Hypothesis

Abstract

Over the last few years the effect of polygyny on fertility has drawn an extensive amount of research. However, much of the literature that addresses the polygyny-fertility hypothesis has methodological and conceptual problems. The original polygyny-fertility hypothesis overestimates the effect of polygyny on fertility because of the assumption that current marital status accounts for the fertility of women. This paper reformulates the polygyny-fertility hypothesis by arguing that polygyny is likely to depress fertility if polygynous women have been previously married. Using the 1993 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data, we find that polygyny reduces fertility for only women who have been previously married. Thus, in the absence of previous marriage, the fertility of monogamous and polygynous women is similar. The results further indicate that urban residency, education and age at first marriage reduce fertility, while current age and ever use of contraception increase fertility.