| Polyandry | Polygyny |
| (i) It is a form of marriage wherein one woman marries more than one man at a given time. | (i) It is a form of marriage wherein one man has two or more wives at a time. |
| (ii) Polyandry can be a social response to harsh economic conditions and extreme poverty when a single man cannot adequately support a wife and children. | (ii) Polygyny can be seen as a strategy which allows powerful males to control reproductive resources and to manipulate kin ties. |
| (iii) Polyandry is divided into fraternal and non-fraternal polyandry. | (iii) Polygyny is divided into sororal and nonsororal polygyny. |
| (iv) Polyandry is practiced among Todas, Kotas, Khasas, Ladakhis, Tibetans. | (iv) Polygyny is practised among the Bhil tribe, Muslims, Gonds, Nagas. |
