Fraternal polyandry and fertility in a high Himalayan valley in Northwest Nepal

Abstract

The manner in which cultural factors affect fertility has become an important area of anthropological concern. In this article, it will be shown that while fraternal polyandry does not affect individual fertility it does have a significant depressing effect on aggregate fertility and functions, unperceived and unintended, as an important mechanism for reducing population growth. © 1976 Plenum Publishing Corporation.