Final answer:
In early Chinese culture, polygamy was a practice found mainly among nobility or wealthier social strata. Monogamy was generally promoted to maintain clan property and hierarchy, but higher-status men could have multiple wives or concubines.
Step-by-step explanation:
In early Chinese culture, polygamy was a practice that was intertwined with wealth, social status, and the societal structure. While monogamy was promoted as an ideal, especially among the ruling elites who were keen to maintain property and clan hierarchy, polygamy still occurred amongst those who could afford multiple wives, which typically included wealthier and higher-status men. The correct answer is: 4) It was only practiced by those in nobility.
There were various social and cultural reasons for the practice of polygamy in early Chinese society. For example, the addition of partners often signified status and was considered ideal for families in polygamous societies. The primary form of polygamy in China was polygyny, where a man would have one primary wife and potentially multiple concubines, although the primary wife retained a higher status and control over the household, including over the concubines and their children.
Polygyny at that time served several purposes, such as ensuring the continuation of the family line by having multiple offspring, and reflecting both the wealth and social capital of a man. However, to preserve clan properties and maintain the clan hierarchy, the promotion of monogamy and differentiation of roles among wives and concubines were strictly implemented.