The Risk of Polygamy and Wives' Saving Behavior

Boltz, Marie ; Chort, Isabelle

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: polygamy;    economic decisions;    savings behavior;    household consumption;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-7860
RP-ID  :  WPS7860

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

In a polygamous society, all monogamouswomen are potentially at risk of polygamy. However, theanthropological and economic literatures are silent on thepotential impact of the risk of polygamy on the economicdecisions of monogamous wives. This paper explores thisissue in Senegal, using individual panel data. The paperfirst estimates a Cox model for the probability oftransition to polygamy. Second, it estimates the impact ofthe predicted risk of polygamy on monogamous wives'savings. The findings show a positive impact of the risk ofpolygamy on female savings entrusted to formal or informalinstitutions, which is suggestive of self-protectivestrategies. The increase in savings comes at the cost ofreduced consumption of household food expenditures andwives' private nonfood expenses.