| | Zimbabwean Women in Customary and Colonial Law by Joan May African Marriage in Zimbabwe by A K H Weinrich by Pepe Roberts Three books from such different perspectives on similiar issues reflects the vigour of the current debate on women, the family and marriage. Chigwidere's book arose out of a television debate in Harare on bridewealth, 'payment to secure the services of a wife' and all that the notion encompasses. The May book addresses the question of equality concerning women in family law and particularly the legal minority status of women in regard to property. Weinrich, a Christian marxist, argues that the African family has been deprived of its function as the economic base of society and consequently its traditional continuity and stability has been undermined by 'the class alliance of Christianity with the petty bourgeoisie in Zimbabwe' . |
