Concubines

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[edit] Concubines

Concubines are the lesser husbands and little wives of one man or one woman in the harem. They do have limited rights of support as against the man or woman, and their offspring are publicly acknowledged as the man's children, albeit of lower status than children born by the official consort.

Some historical Asian and European rulers maintained concubines as well as second wives, including the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt.

Historically, concubinage was frequently voluntary, as it provided a measure of economic security for the woman involved.

Involuntary, or servile, it involves sexual slavery of one member of the relationship; typically the woman.