Dionson, Keithlyn Kim M.

Anthropology BSN IV-B

Sociology and October 4, 2011

Reaction Paper:

When Brothers Share a Wife

The concept of marriage comes with varied interpretations across cultures. However it agrees with a single commonality that it is a bond of certain people committed to spend their lives with each other legally witnessed under the law or their individual cultures. Goldstein presented a type of marriage which is known to be unusual and rare to other nations, but with the Tibetan culture, it is considered - the usual. Fraternal polyandry, which mechanics simply requires two, three, four or more brothers jointly marries one wife. Of course, parents play a significant role in this type of marriage as they value the importance of the parents blessing to marriage. The reason for such type to be preferred by the Tibetans though materialistic, but is indeed practical. A lot of things have been put into consideration of why such marriage had been practiced since time immemorial. Of particular note is the more secure and higher standard of living of the family, more especially the brothers can gain. More security in the sense that they their treasures and properties will be intact and possibly be more generating since all of them (the husbands) are working hand in hand. As for the wife, that shell be living a luxurious life in a way that more husbands are serving her and her children with their needs. I suppose every wife want that kind of life perhaps. Reasons have been shown on why fraternal polyandry still exists now in the Tibetan society. Nonetheless, in the article, it was negated with evidences showing facts that could explicate such contradiction. For one reason was the shortage of females, where in fact there was no demographic evidence that proves such claim. As for the second reason, I agree with Goldstein stating idea that polyandry is not a means of preventing starvation. They may be experiencing harsh climate and be provided with natures little lands but I guess what is needed are resources and more persistence in finding or making one. Introduction of new sources of income and economic resources as indicated in the latter part of the article would be a great aid to the Tibetan culture. If this concern of the Tibetans engaging in such marriage will be addressed, degradation of fraternal polyandry as generations will rise will always remain a possibility. Nothing is permanent in this world; only change. Whatever this change would result to, it solely depends on how culture responds to it, proving its dynamism. Basically what is it when brothers share a wife? for the Tibetans, less family tree entitles to secured family properties, equal contribution for familys income and acquiring high standard of living most especially for the brothers. Family feud however would continuously occur in families despite

their structure and only varies to how often it happens and to what extent will it affect the family. Marriage as in culture is diverse in such ways and it does not call the universe to follow the practices of the other. What each culture needs is to be respected and let them live in their own identity freely without judgment and discrimination.