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The Effects of Polygyny and Domicility on Offspring Sex Ratio in Ghana
Authors: Amankwaa, Adansi A.
Source: African and Asian Studies, Volume 6, Number 4, 2007 , pp. 431-456(26); DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156921007X236972
Topic(s): Family structure
Fertility
Polygyny
Country: Africa
  Ghana
Published: NOV 2007
Abstract: This article explores how family structure and domicility influences offspring sex ratio bias, specifically living arrangements of husband in polygynous unions. Data from three Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys were used to examine the relationship between family structure and offspring sex ratio at birth, something that previous studies have not been able to do. This study estimate models of sex ratio offspring if the wives live together with husband present and wives live in separate dwellings and are visited by husband in turn. The results suggest that within polygynous marriages there are more male births, especially when husbands reside in the same dwelling as wives, than when husbands reside in separate dwellings from their wives. The analyses show that offspring sex ratio is related to the structure of living arrangement of husbands in polygynous unions. Indeed, the findings suggest that living arrangements and family structure among humans are important factors in predicting offspring sex ratio bias.