CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN FAMILY AND SEXUAL LIFE - AN ECONOMIC-ANALYSIS

This article uses rational choice theory to explain family and sexual life in so-called primitive societies. It develops implications of the theory that relate the degree of polygamy, the relative value placed on men and women (as proxied by the respective amounts of ''bloodwealt h '' prescribed for killing or wounding a man or a woman), and the deg ree of homosexuality to each other and to other variables, including t he relative numbers of men and women and the mode of production-whethe r agricultural or hunting and gathering. Examined is quantitative evid ence bearing on these implications from almost 70 societies.