Matrilineal Kinship and Spousal Cooperation: Evidence from the Matrilineal Belt

I examine how matrilineal relative to patrilineal kinship systems affect spousal cooperation. In matrilineal kinship systems, lineage and inheritance are traced through female members. The structure of matrilineal kinship systems implies that, relative to patrilineal kinship systems, women have greater support from their own kin groups, and husbands have less authority over their wives. I use experimental and physiological measures and a geographic regression discontinuity design along the matrilineal belt in Africa to test how kinship systems affect spousal cooperation.

• EDS
• Sara Lowes
• Bocconi University
• Matrilineal Kinship
• Matrilineal Belt
• Spousal Cooperation