THE IMPACT OF WOMENS SOCIOECONOMIC POSITION ON MARRIAGE PATTERNS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Several theories have suggested that Western influences would graduall y alter traditional African family systems. Although the predicted con vergence toward a Western type of nuclear family has not occurred, the re have been important changes in African nuptiality patterns. This ar ticle examines theories stating that differentials and changes in marr iage patterns are related to the relative status of women. In particul ar, we assess to what extent factors such as women's inheritance right s, women's involvement in trade and politics, and women's contribution to agricultural labor affect the nuptiality pattern of a society.