[Informal unions in sub-Saharan Africa: the example of the Congolese "second office"]

The author analyzes an informal type of marital union known as the "second office", which is prevalent in countries such as the Congo, the Ivory Coast, and Zaire. "He points out...aspects of the phenomenon which pertain to tradition (polygamy) as well as to sociological aspects linked to modern lifestyles (affectivity in interpersonal relationships, preeminence of the father over the uncle in matrilineal kinship systems), to the urban way of life (greater feminine independence) and to essentially monetary economic relationships. The survey method was based on 'focus groups'." (SUMMARY IN ENG AND ITA)