Childlessness. The primary goal of marriage was bringing children to the family, lots of children. In ancient Africa children were considered assets to the family and the lineage in general. Most children above the age of four were put to work on the family farm, thereby increasing the wealth and economic standing of the family. Furthermore, most elderly parents relied exclusively on their children for economic support, so having large numbers of children was a means of ensuring comfort in one's old age, like investing in a pension fund. Children were considered the pillar of any marital union, and bearing children established a woman as a welcome member of her husband's family. While childlessness was never regarded as the fault of a woman, in many cases it constituted a valid ground for divorce. Childlessness, which of course might have...