If some form of male-female marriage is nearly universal, it is reasonable to believe that it is in some way adaptive. Discuss the various theories for why marriage is nearly universal, and explain which idea you feel offers the strongest explanation.
What will be an ideal response?
1. Discussion of gender division of labor
2. Prolonged infant dependency and childhood periods
3. Increased sexual competition in humans compared to other primates
4. Student should argue for one explanation, providing factual support for his/her argument
Learning Objective: 19.2 Explain the near-universality of marriage across cultures.
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Which of the following is the most accurate description of Margaret Mead's impact on the gender issues in cultural anthropology?
a. She had little impact; her books weren't highly regarded. b. Her work showed that gender was primarily a biological phenomenon. c. Her work questioned the biologically determined nature of gender. d. The fact that most of her work was about women showed that they were an important part of culture. e. Though ignored in the U.S., Mead's work was hailed in Europe. Thus, gender studies were far more advanced in Europe than in the U.S.
Answer the following statements true (T) or false (F)
1. “Wright” means “maker,” so a playwright is a maker of plays. 2. A playwright can become a great theatre person but not a great writer. 3. A play doctor is somebody trained in literature and criticism.
No hypodescent rule developed in Brazil.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
The American Anthropological Association has formally acknowledged a public service role by recognizing that anthropology has which two dimensions?
A. applied anthropology and practicing anthropology B. private anthropology and public anthropology C. cultural resource management and medical anthropology D. academic anthropology and applied anthropology E. ethnology and public ethnography