Final answer:
Historical and contemporary examples of polyandry are rare compared to polygyny but can be observed in Nepal through the practice of fraternal polyandry. Polygyny, more prevalent across societies, is practiced for various cultural, economic, and social reasons, reflecting the societal acceptance of multiple forms of marriage arrangements, albeit with polygyny being more dominant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to polyandry, which is a form of marriage where one woman has multiple husbands. This is contrasted with polygyny, where one man marries multiple women, and with polygamy in general which includes both forms. Historical and contemporary examples of polyandry can be observed in various societies, though it is much rarer than polygyny. In terms of historical and contemporary instances, fraternal polyandry is most commonly found in Nepal among mainly rural families. Here, brothers share a single wife, which serves several societal functions, including minimizing population growth, maintaining family units, and preserving land inheritance by avoiding division. The majority of societies have preferred polygynous arrangements, like in the Central African Republic and Thailand, where polygyny is practiced legally and culturally, with varying degrees of spousal consent and economic incentives. In contrast, polygamous societies tend to have a limited number of men with multiple spouses, often correlating with status and wealth.