Understanding The Decision Making Dynamics and Power Relations in Polygamous Families in South Sudan
Understanding The Decision Making Dynamics and Power Relations in Polygamous Families in South Sudan
Volume 8 Issue 2, March-April 2024 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 527
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
livelihood activities, and participation in community this, they do not have direct control over their
activities . polygamy status (assuming they do not divorce the
husband once he marries a second wife). In contrast,
2. Literature Review
Dynamics of Polygamous Households junior co-wives select into polygamy and, as such,
In South Sudan upto 40% of marriages are directly determine their polygamy status. Based on
these, it is argued the two groups of polygamous
polygamous because men and women in South Sudan
associate having multiple wives with wealth and women possess dissimilar characteristics and should
social standing.2 Since marriages require expensive be treated differently.
dowries/ bride price, usually paid in the form of In analyzing the changing relationships between
cattle, having multiple wives is a sign of affluence. husbands and wives over the course of a polygamous
According to Dinka, Nuer and Shilluk culture, the marriage to understand the level of decision-making
bigger the family you have, the more people respect dynamic within the family. Moreover, some women
you.3 In many cases, however, the sacrifices made to in polygamous marriages describe their husbands as
afford bride price contribute to enduring poverty. being dominant, controlling over decision-making,
Additionally, having more wives increase the and entrenching a patriarchal system8.
opportunity for having more children. However, husbands who can provide intimacy and
In South Sudan, polygamy is another patriarchal trust, and treat their wives justly can contribute to
practice that reinforces women’s subordinate status as good cooperation and relations between these wives9.
well as being closely tied to other forms of violence. In a patriarchal family system, husbands tend to be
According to the qualitative research, men are the more dominant and in control of the family hierarchy.
primary decision-makers when it comes to deciding In polygamous marriages, husbands tend to provide
to marry additional wives. A husband might not even less space for wives to discuss matters and may not
inform his wife that he has taken additional wives, overly care about their emotions and feelings. This is
much less consult her when doing so4. Therefore, because the husband feels that he needs to be fully
polygamy also contributes to increased tensions respected and cannot tolerate his decisions being
within the household. Although some women rejected.10
described an idealized relationship between co-wives,
This has led to research finding that the practice of
where the first wife might act as a sister or mother to
polygamy can result in competition, unequal
the younger wives, most women considered the
distribution of household resources, co-wife envy,
practice of polygamy to be a form of violence.
and failure to do justice to all the family members11.
Suspicion and distrust between husbands and wives However, Moran (1990) argues that conflicts between
and between co-wives can lead to violent episodes, wives’ stem from their own goal of monopolizing
particularly when coupled with poverty and limited their husbands to fulfill certain rights such as time
resources in large households5.
and attention. This study found that the wives try to
In polygamous societies like South Sudan, senior co- avoid attitudes that can damage good relations to
wives are typically the oldest among the wives and maintain a positive home environment. This desk
closer in age to their husbands. As a result, they are review has supplemented he fieldwork through data
accorded traditional privileges not enjoyed by their collected from project sites which has shaped light on
rival co-wives6. Also, in cultures where senior co- the dynamics of polygamy as a practice in African
wives help their husbands pay the bride prices of countries of which South Sudan has not been an
junior wives – for instance, among the Igbo people of exception.
Southern Nigeria – the relationship between co-wives Social Network Framework for Decision Making
is best described as that of a mother (elder sister) and
The team used Social Network Framework to analyze
daughter (younger sister) instead of as rivals, leaving decision-making dynamics in polygamous households
senior co-wives with relatively higher intrahousehold of South Sudan. It considered how individual male or
power7. More importantly, senior co-wives do not (at
female decisions were shaped by social interactions
the time of marriage) select into polygamy. Following and the resources embedded within them. Barry
Wellman, a leading network scholar, writes,
2
The link of polygamy and War, 2017
3 8
The Peril of Polygamy, 2017 Thobejane (2016); Mukhuba (2017
4 9
The Peril of Polygamy, 2017 Seeley, 2012
5 10
Ibid, 2017 Mukhuba, 201710.
6 11
Sween and Clignet, 1978 Slonim- Nevo & Al-Krenawi, 2006; Yilmaz & Tamam,
7
Leith-Ross, 1965 2018; Abdullah, Abdullah, & Ferdousi, 2015
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 528
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
“Network analysts want to know how structural and behavioral science theories of “contextualized
properties affect behavior beyond the effects of pattern of action.13 In this context, the
normative prescriptions, personal attributes, and accommodation model is one way to integrate across
dyadic relationships within the polygamous family theoretical frameworks to emphasize the complexity,
which could be applicable to the context of South multiple determinants, and fluidity of decision-
Sudan. They concentrate on studying how the pattern making in polygamous families. Polygamous families
of ties in a network provides significant opportunities are often highly constrained on multiple dimensions
and constraints because it affects the access of people that include but are not limited to, family status,
and institutions to such resources as information, cultural norms, education level, family income, and
wealth, and power”. As such, women and men are community perspective on a given issue on which the
likely drawn into polygamous practices based on the decision should be made.
social norms promoted in the community through The accommodation model, with its attention to the
generations in South Sudan.
contextual realities confronting polygamous families
Conflict Theory in Decision-making Dynamics as providers and as caregivers, also views a particular
Conflict Theory was founded by Karl Max who situation choice not as discrete and isolated decision
argued that conflict happens due to existing forces of but as one in a series of interdependent decisions
opposition in the life of individuals, groups, social about society and family life that unfold over time.
structures, and society in general. According to The research team used this theory to understand the
Kombo and Tromp12 , this theory views human resulting complexities and uncertainties in South
society as a collection of competing interest groups Sudan assumed by polygamous families to make
and individuals, each with their own motives and decisions under conditions of imperfect and
expectations. The principal assumption underlying incomplete information about their own preferences,
this theory is that all members of the society do not as well as about the characteristics and potential
have the same values, interests, and expectations consequences of their decision alternatives in relation
which vary according to one’s position, privileges, to being married to or in a polygamous household. In
ability, class, and wealth. This theory plays a great the South Sudan context, given limited information,
role in decision-making within the polygamous this model suggests that polygamous families’
families of South Sudan because the decision was preferences may not be fixed at any point in time, but
determined by family background, one’s position, rather, dynamic, and dependent upon the culture,
privileges, ability, class, and wealth. This notion of community norms, choices, and experiences based on
status could reduce or promote negative attitudes the traditions passed down through generations on
toward each other and build confidence in each other level of decision making within polygamous families.
by avoiding competition based on individual and Conceptual Framework on Household Decision
group expectations as well as interests. making Dynamics
The Accommodation Model In analyzing household decision-making, a
In a 2006 review of empirical research on the factors conceptual framework based on the survey data was
influencing parental decisions about care developed using MAXQDA 2020 on signifying that
arrangements, Marcia K. Meyers and Lucy Jordan decision-making in households as per the survey is
proposed that decisions might better be described as due to many players. Results indicated that household
“accommodations” rather than “choices”. Their paper decision-making is based solely on the husband, using
compared research that had been produced within two advanced text search and tree mappings, a model
broadly defined traditions: those based on traditional which came out is as shown below.
economic theory and those drawn from other social
12 13
Kombo and Tromp (2006, p. 57) Meyers & Jordan, 2006, p. 64.
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 529
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 530
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
attended school compared to 22 men. This is the results indicate that men in Western Equatoria
undoubtedly the situation in South Sudan, where the State, Western Barl El Ghazal, Warrap, and Northern
literacy rate is high, estimated at around 27% (World Barl El Ghazel have greater influence in areas
Bank, 2021). Most analysts, on the other hand, concerning setting rules, food provision, and resource
observe a high predisposition for polygamy among management, whereas those of Jonglei, Eastern
households with low education levels and a high Equatoria, and Central Equatoria have greater
dominance of husbands in decision-making. authority to make decisions about the financial
According to the survey, most respondents came from management of the families, family care, family
polygamous families, indicating that the practice is movement and provision of food to families.
common among South Sudanese families. “My husband is responsible for providing
Additionally, because the survey was tailored to money for children's education, feeding, and
polygamous families, it was essential to have most taking care of children and my personal needs.
respondents from these families to boost survey His presence in the house gives the family
strength. As a result, the respondents' opinions weight”[monogamous wife from Rajaf Centre,
essentially reflected how they felt in their actual Rajaf (Tokiman East, CES)
polygamous households. These findings show how
2. The Role of Women in Household Decision
polygamous most South Sudanese households are,
Making
and when we add up all the respondents who were
In all three categories of the family, both husbands
married to husbands who had two or more wives, we
and wives as well as all adult members of the family
find that many of the respondents unquestionably
sit together to discuss issues that require collective
belonged to this group of polygamous families.
decision-making. However, as culture is dynamic, the
4.2. General Findings on Household Decision- traditional roles assigned to males and females have
Making been evolving. Men are no longer the only
The majority of respondents from polygamous, breadwinners. In conformity with this, women are no
monogamous, and absent husband's households come longer ‘homemakers’ as occurred in the past as our
from WEQ, Warrap, WBG, and NBG. All household findings have validated Vincent-Lacrin's (2008)
types were asked to give their opinions on decision- research that women just like men also work outside
making within the family in regard to six major the home to help support the day-to-day running of
themes (1) decisions about agricultural production (2) the home.
decisions about income generating activities (3)
The findings indicate that women in Western Bahr El
decisions about disaster response (4) decisions about
Ghazal, Western Equatoria, and Central Equatoria
participating in community development making on
make decisions about what to cook, raising children,
which crops to produce and quantity to sell (5)
crops to produce, and family business, whereas
decisions about child care. The findings indicate that
women from Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Northern
men have the majority or sole decision-making rights
Bahr El Ghazal have almost the same decision-
over decisions about disaster response and income-
making power in terms of raising children, food
generating activities. Women have the greatest
provision and child education in the absence of their
influence on decisions about agricultural production
husbands.
and decision about child care. Generally, in all family
types, monogamous, polygamous or even families The roles wives play in polygamous and absent
with absent husbands, most of the respondents husband families included consulting with each other
identified husbands as the major contributor to the in decisions as quoted:
decisions. The study validated that husbands play a “Wives consult with one another on decisions
crucial role in being consulted first for major affecting other households & they consult with
decisions in the household, but this does not conclude their husbands on how to run their families. In
that other members are excluded from decision- consultation of both wives and husbands in
making processes. Women also play a role in decisions that affect their separate households,
decision-making for the household as there is shared they sit together to decide on what to do to solve
responsibility in the house. Women are also informed the issues, however, the final decision comes
about issues and discuss decisions in the family. from husbands” [Tombe, from Rajaf Payam,
1. The Role of Men in Household Decision Juba County]
Making This primary data shows women from three family
With respect to the areas in which husbands make the types are responsible for household management,
final decisions around household and family issues, such as food preparation, and child care across all
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 531
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
states. These are common decision-making areas 5. Decision-Making Dynamics among Co-Wives
noted for women in all seven states. In all household in Polygamous Families
types, women have the ability to decide about family In some locations, co-wives have equality in decision-
upbringing, types of crops to produce, use of poultry making (Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria)
and livestock, and micro-business. while in other locations the first wife's decision-
3. Decision-Making Dynamics in Polygamous making influence is almost as important as that of the
Family husband, and she is consulted in absence of the
The majority of the polygamous households in husband to make the final decision for the entire
Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Western Equatoria, family (Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap, and
and Jonglei reported that collective decision-making Western Bahr El Ghazal and Jonglei).
occurs within their families however, men have Most of the respondents agreed that all wives in
greater influence. A key informant from Anyidi, polygamous families are given the same privilege to
Jonglei was quoted as saying: make decisions on issues affecting the entire family.
“Yes, decisions are made collectively based on Respondents from Northern Bahr el Ghazal and
my own experience. We sit down as a family to Warrap had the highest level of agreement and also
decide on the distribution of little resources we affirmed that all wives were allowed to make
have, when our children should go to school and decisions on issues pertaining to each wife's
what we can do to make sure we get the school household.
fees ready before the school opens” According to female respondents in the polygamous
This implies that decision-making in a polygamous family, the first wife is considered the follower of the
family is a key responsibility of every member of that husband in the family hierarchy; she follows the
family. Most of the families in South Sudan which are husband in decision-making. Indeed, female
polygamous pull a common pool of decisions that are respondents from Warrap said, in the absence of the
selected when the need comes. husband, the first wife assumed full responsibility for
all wives and children in decision-making. She
4. Decision-Making Dynamics in Monogamous consulted with co-wives on issues affecting the entire
Families family. Some respondents from the polygamous
In monogamous families’ decisions concerning the families in Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and
family's resources are made by the husband, for to some extent in Jonglei, said the first wife has
example, a key informant from Eastern Equatoria was authority to influence decision-making only on
quoted saying: important issues.
“The husband makes the decision for the whole “First wife is the logistician of all wives. She is
family & all decisions are made by the husband the one that decides on the distribution of the
in each separate household …such decisions are resources. In case the second or third wife is
not made collectively. It is the sole responsibility good as well, the first wife will delegate the
of the husband. I rarely involved my wife in power to make decisions and she can also do the
anything to do with family resources simply distribution because this is the routine you
because women do not foresee things ahead of taught them from the beginning. Women learn
tomorrow. They just get overexcited with little from each other”. [Community leader, Jur
money in hand forgetting tomorrow”. River, Western Bahr el Ghazal]
Some respondents from Northern Bahr El Ghazal, “Well, when it comes to resource distribution,
Warrap, Jonglei, and Western Equatoria highlighted women are not the same. There are those who
the authority of husbands. One respondent noted that are new in the marriage and those who have
“A husband is like the president of a given been in marriage for quite a number of years.
homestead.” Husbands have the sole responsibility The first wife is experienced, and she can make
for the household, in that he validates and makes the her own decisions. The other wives are
final decision for the family. Women are only inexperienced and at the stage of learning how
allowed to make decisions depending on what type of to make decisions, so; sometimes they are not
decisions and what kind of husband they married. able to make decisions alone. In such cases, they
Women married to a husband that controls their seek advice before they can do anything because
autonomy in decision-making bother not to share they fear the outcomes of their decisions”. [A
their plans with them because they believed that their fourth wife, Tonj South, Warrap]
husbands will disapprove of their decisions.
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 532
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
In Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap, the first wife their husband. Yes, disputes between co-wives
makes important decisions and guides the husband on and their husband are very common. Sometimes
issues such, as the husband getting a second, third or a wife would come asking me to use my spiritual
fourth wife. Having many co-wives gives pride to the powers to make the husband love her alone and
first wife and reduces the workload for the family. make sure he stays in her house. Let me tell you,
This view not prominent in other state but applies to such things are tempting and can cause the
Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap respectively. deadliest conflicts if you do not handle them
The trend in the responsibility of the first wife on well. If you are a heartless man, you will do as
equal decision-making like the husband may differ she wants while a wise man will not consider it.
across all other states due to the cultures and customs You just tell her that this is beyond my spiritual
of varying communities in South Sudan. In Eastern powers. Now when the secret leaked out that she
Equatoria and Central Equatoria states, cases of equal is using spiritual powers to maintain the
opportunity for all wives in decision-making have husband, other wives will seek the same powers
been observed and reported during interviews, but the and total confusion will transpire in that
issue of the first wife having more and equal power to family”.
that of a husband has not been reported frequently
Co-wives in many polygamous families across the
only slightly. In summary, equal opportunities for all
seven states respond to changes in personal and
co-wives in decision making is recorded in EEQ and
economic status in two ways; a) negative response,
CES whereas, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap, and
where co-wives become jealous of their peers, b)
Western Bahr El Ghazal and JS consider the first
positive response, where co-wives support each other
wife's decision-making as important as that of the
and cooperate with their peers to preserve their
husband, and she’s consulted in absence of the
collective social and economic status.
husband to make the final decision for the entire
family. 4.3. Household Decision Making on Selected
Issues
The Key informants indicated that instances of
1. Decisions about Agricultural Production
violence are not uncommon in polygamous families.
In Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria, women
Physical altercations can take place amongst wives,
make decisions on both cash and food crop
husbands, co-wives, children, and extended family
production. Women in all family types in Northern
relatives of the husband and wife/wives. Some key
Bahr El Ghazel, Warrap, Western Bahr El Ghazel,
informants noted that family fighting can result in
and the Western Equatoria make decisions on which
lead to a chain of conflicts leading to communal
food to grow for consumption but have more
violence not only in their polygamous homesteads but
influence over cash crops. Women in Jonglei do not
also in the entire community or clan.
make decisions about crop production.
A spear master was quoted explaining the source of
Women in Warrap, Central, Eastern, and Western
tension between co-wives and their husband:
Equatoria have significant influence over the quantity
“Limited resources cause tension between co- of production and location of sale, however, these
wives. How do you feed all the children from decisions are shared by husbands and wives in Jonglei
separate households? That is problematic. The and Northern Bahr El Ghazal. In Western Bahr El
co-wives will think that it is because you took the Ghazal, the decisions are made primarily by
food to the other wives, and you allow her and husbands. The key informant interview results
the children to starve. To me, it is not a good indicate that husbands decide how much to produce,
idea to have many wives. The husband would sell, and do other family businesses, sometimes with
leave a wife, and go to the other wife and end up input from their wives, children, and the entire
being confronted by the wives. So, there is no family.
peace at all. See how old I am, I cannot
In the data analysis, the word “separately” was used
remember when we had a fight with my wife.
routinely in the description of polygamous families.
That is the best thing I know about having one
The findings indicated most of the polygamous
wife”.
families in agriculture-based communities in South
He continued his narratives…… Sudan cook and eat separately in distinct households.
“Co-wives rarely love themselves. All you hear Each wife with her children prepares their own meal.
in the neighborhood is the disputes between co- However collective farming for the whole family
wives and their husband. The co-wives are compels co-wives to be unified.A respondent from
jealous. They neither support themselves nor Central Equatoria described the importance of
polygamous families for agricultural production and
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 533
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
it reflects wealth accumulation that can be acquired proportion of cash income from my farm. The
through the collective power from a polygamous only way to get the autonomy is to encourage
family. him to have other wives so that I get the
2. Decisions about Income Generating Activities opportunity to do my own business of selling
The three most commonly cited sources of income in alcohol, and the garden produces in the
the study were farming (cash crops and vegetables), market”.
selling tea, and brewing alcohol. They are Men make decisions about household finances and
supplemented by salaried work, casual labor, animal the distribution of livestock, while women make
husbandry, shisha, and making and selling firewood. decisions about small household purchases. However,
Husbands typically receive income and share it some female respondents from Western Equatoria and
among co-wives, children, and other family members Central Equatoria who are educated and breadwinners
for acquiring all the needed requirements within the for their families, explained that even when they earn
family. more money than their husband, they give it all to the
In analyzing the changing relationships between husband to decide on how it will be used and shared
husbands and wives in both monogamous and among the household members. In Western
polygamous families, it was found that some women Equatoria, a female respondent who made more
in polygamous marriages describe their husbands as money than her husband gave her husband authority
being dominant, controlling over decisions making, to decide on how the money is used because she
and entrenching a patriarchal system. believed he made better decisions and plans.
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 534
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
The respondents both male and female agreed that the of his family. He knows whether it is the right
husband is the decision-maker when a community time or not depending on the availability of
project needs women’s participation. Some resources. Second, if I ask him to share the room
respondents across the seven (7) states also reported with the intention to have another child, he will
that both husband and wife can decide. Some of the think that I am tricking him to top up another
respondents agreed most projects for the community man’s child.” [Mary, a second wife from Wau]
support well-being of every person, and any
In rural communities, husbands play a vital role in
involvement of a partner is not bad at all. However, in
choosing their sons’ or daughters' spouses in both
the absence of a Husband, the wife has ultimate
monogamous and polygamous families. Husbands get
authority over whether to join a community
their opinions and feelings on potential spouses from
development project or not. From the analysis, a
their daughter, son, wife, grandparents, and relatives;
female can decide to participate in project activities
however, he makes the final decision. In the case of
when the husband is not there
an absent husband's family, patrilineal uncles decide.
5. Decisions about Childcare
4.4. Community and Religious Leaders Opinion
In all family types wives had the most influence over
on Polygamy
decisions about children’s feeding, discipline;
The key informants shared their views on polygamy
clothing, and education, however, husbands
with regard to culture and religion and there are
contribute to some decisions about children. One
varying views. A group of Payam chiefs and
farmer from Marial Bai explained:
paramount chiefs praised polygamy as a culture and
“Yes, women play a great role in the family. hoped that it continues to the next generations
They take care of the children. A wife gives a because they inherited the same culture from their
report of a sick child. In fact, chickens, goats, ancestors.
and other livestock are being taken care of by a
A community leader of Jur River expressed his views
woman. She decides what to do with them. When
as follows.
there is no food in the house, a woman can
decide to sell a goat to buy the food without “My grandfather had 12 wives. I am the only
consulting me. Or in a situation where a child is one who has not reached that number. I have 5
sick, she can decide to sell anything in the house wives only. I’m supposed to have more;
that she believes would cater for the treatment of however, the situation is not the same because
her child”.[Husband from Wau] there is not enough food to feed them. Our
grandfathers used to have abundant fish and
Additionally, below are quotes from Angelina
cattle that they used to feed their families.
on this matter.
Those who were more religious or followed
“…well, I believe it is a collective work of both
Christianity negated any positivity in polygamy and
parents; if a child wants to go to school, the first
considered it an evil act, a sin, and an immoral way of
person to report has been a mother and if you
living for people in South Sudan. According to this
have something then you give it to him /her
survey, Christians or those professing modern faiths
without hesitation. Only when you have nothing
oppose polygamy as a formal way of life, and some
at all, a mother will either send a child to the
deemed it an ancient habit that causes discomfort in
father or a mother talk to the father concerning
homes.
education or any other needs. The husband will
think about where to get money to pay the A community leader of Khormalang, Wau North
children's school fees. If he has no cash in the Payam was quoted saying:
hand, he will direct a wife to sell a goat or cow “People marry many wives depending on
to cater to the family needs”. personal income. Anyone is free to have more
Women also commented on the timing of the births wives as he wishes for so long, he has a dowry
of their children, stressing that it was primarily to pay. This is not something we started in our
determined by husbands. generation. We inherit this culture from our
ancestors”
“My husband paid a number of cattle to my
parents in exchange for my services. So, I have He states: “There is no customary law that allows
no power over my body. He can decide when to marrying many wives. It is an individual ability to
share the room with him so that we have another have many wives. Another person may have
child. I cannot tell him to let me have another uncooperative wives, so they prefer to have separate
child for two reasons: one he is the breadwinner
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 535
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
households. Even children do not cooperate because loss of life, large families provided productivity and
co-wives spread hatred among the children.” protection.
4.5. Wife Autonomy in all Family Types Social network theory would further explore the
In general, women have limited autonomy in most social connections, reputation, and influence that
South Sudanese communities. Women have individuals have in their household, extended family,
autonomy in the areas of employment and family and community. The study indicated that wives have
care. A group of respondents was quoted emphasizing a significant influence on decisions about feeding,
this point as. disciplining, clothing, and educating children.
“Families are different. There is a family in Husbands share some responsibilities for raising
which a wife must seek permission from the children, such as providing financial support,
husband. If a woman wants to do anything, she selecting schools, and giving advice.
must tell me first because this is my house. They In Conclusion, the study indicated that wives are the
are not here on their own,” said the husband of major role players in decision-making on how the
five wives. child’s feeding, discipline, clothing, and education
In one polygamous family, the husband could not among others must be catered for in any polygamous
afford to meet the financial needs of the family family within South Sudan. Results also indicated that
therefore, he allowed the first wife and second wife to husbands share responsibilities with their wives in
have businesses, however, the new wife was confined raising a child like coming together for advice,
at home with the fear that she may have extramarital husbands contribute financial supports to cater to
affairs with other men. Husbands can withdraw their children's needs including feeding, taking a
autonomy if he develops suspicion. supervisory role, and deciding on which school they
can go to according to his financial capability, and
Poni, a second wife explains the level of her among others. Overall, key informants weighed their
autonomy: views of polygamy in terms of culture and religion
“You do not have the freedom to do whatever I and the survey has shown that there are varying
think is good for me and my children, especially views, a group of those who were chiefs or paramount
the new wives. You get little space when your chiefs in the Payams view polygamy as a culture,
husband has got another wife after you. Much of praised it, and hope it continues to the next
his attention and control would be directed to generations as they also got the same culture from
the new arrival”. their ancestors. Those who were more religious or
followed Christianity negated any positivity in
In most cases, even if a husband was open to one of polygamy and considered it an evil act, a sin, and an
his wives participating in an independent activity, immoral way of living for people in South Sudan.
other family members may object and advise him to Christians or those practicing modern faiths according
change his mind. Overall, wives had little autonomy to this survey have taken polygamy against formal
in a polygamous family arrangement. During our ways of living and some called it an ancient practice
interviews, we realized correlations between decision- that leads to discomforts in home
making and education, employment, age, and place of
residence. Women tended to have greater influence in REFERENCES
decision-making when they were younger, were [1] Abdullah, Abdullah, & Ferdousi. (2015). The
employed, and had fewer children Moreover, women Fragile Status of a Muslim Wife: The Legal
in rural areas had less autonomy in decision-making. History of Polygamy in Malaysia. Journal of
Again, the influence of the extended family limited Family History, 40(2), 135-152.
women’s influence on their autonomy. We conclude a [2] Jankowiak, W., Sudakob, M., & Wilreker, B.
low autonomy degree of wives in both monogamous C. (2005). Co-wife conflict and co-operation.
and polygamous family types. Ethnology, 44(1), 81-98.
5. CONCLUSION [3] Lin, N. (2001). Building a network theory of
The practice of polygamy has been common amongst social capital. In N. Lin, K. Cook, & R. S. Burt
some South Sudanese people for generations. (Eds.), Social capital: Theory and research
However, has been celebrated, disparaged, and (Chapter 1, pp. 3-30). New York: Aldine de
ignored by the humanitarian community. During Gruyter.
extended periods of war, polygamy served as a way
of fortifying families and clans. With the widespread [4] Meyers, M. K., & Jordan, L. P. (2006). Choice
and accommodation in parental child care
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 536
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
decisions. Community Development, 37(2), 53- [9] The perils of polygamy; Sex and inequality
70. Publication info: The Economist ; London Vol.
425, Iss. 9072, (Dec 23, 2017): 30. .p.1
[5] Mhukuba, T. T. (2017). The representation of
patriach perception in selected African literary [10] Thobejane, T. D. (2014). An exploration of
works. Gender & Behaviour, 8567-8576. polygamous marriages: a worldview.
Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences,
[6] Moran, M. (1990). Civilized women: gender
and prestige in southeastern Liberia. Ithaca: 5(27), 1058-1066.
Cornell University Press. [11] Wellman, B. (1983). Network analysis: Some
[7] Seeley, J. (2012). The changing relationships of basic principles. Sociological Theory (1), 155-
co-wives over time in rural Southern Uganda. 200.
Journal of Development Studies, 48(1), 68-80. [12] Yılmaz, E., &Tamam. L. (2018). The
relationship between polygamy and psychiatric
[8] Slonim-Nevo, V., & Al-Krenawi, A. (2006).
Success and failure among polygamous disorders in Turkish women. International
families: The experience of wives, husbands, Journal of Social Psychiatry, 64(8), 821-827.
and children. Family Process, 45(3), 311-330.
@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD64563 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 2 | Mar-Apr 2024 Page 537