1991/11/01 by ALICE SCHLEGEL, Alice Schlegel · 2 citations
Social Sciences · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Medicine · #Marriage and Sexual Relationships #Historical Economic and Social Studies #Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
paper · doi:10.1525/ae.1991.18.4.02a00050
This article tests and confirms the proposition that a cultural value on the virginity of girls is, in large part, a function of the form of marriage transaction. The study is based on a worldwide sample of preindustrial societies and includes an interpretation of the association between several forms of marriage transaction and a prescription of or preference for premarital female virginity. Several other explanations for the value on virginity are also discussed. [ virginity, bridewealth, dowry, marriage transactions ]