Final answer:
Most cultures accept polygamy, mainly polygyny, but the majority of individuals do not practice it. The prevalence is higher in specific regions such as northern Africa and east Asia, but as urbanization increases, the practice of polygamy tends to diminish.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "Around the world, most marriages have been polygamous" is somewhat complex. If we consider the acceptance within societies for polygamy, the statement would be true since a majority of cultures (78 percent) accept polygamy, mainly in the form of polygyny — where a man is married to more than one woman. However, in terms of actual practice, the answer leans towards false. Though polygamy is accepted in many cultures, the majority of people worldwide do not practice it, with typically less than 10 percent of men in polygamous cultures having more than one wife. These men are usually older, wealthy, and of higher social status. As societies become more urbanized, polygamy tends to decrease.
In regions such as northern Africa and east Asia, polygamous marriages are more culturally accepted, and in some countries, the law specifically sanctions polygamous unions with conditions. However, in Western societies and increasingly in urban settings around the world, monogamous unions are more prevalent due to factors like mass media, technology, education, and a trend towards smaller family units.