Women's narratives of living in polygamous marriages: Rural Malawian experience distilled and preserved in poetic constructions

Type Journal Article - Health Care for Women International
Title Women's narratives of living in polygamous marriages: Rural Malawian experience distilled and preserved in poetic constructions
Author(s)
Volume 38
Issue 8
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2017
Page numbers 873-891
URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07399332.2017.1326494
Abstract
Polygamy in sub-Saharan Africa has been linked to poverty, infant mortality, and HIV; however, it is unknown how interpersonal dynamics within polygamous households may influence population health outcomes. Findings from this postcolonial feminist study derive from interview data in a larger mixed-methods study in rural Malawi. We used thematic narrative analysis to probe 25 women's stories and applied an arts-based research technique, poetic construction, to present the results. Participants' evocative expressions, distilled and preserved in poetic form, illustrate themes of perseverance, grief, agency, and reflection. We discuss how gender relations, childrearing, tradition, economics, and health intersect in polygamous households.

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