This study seeks to present an account of the economic, political, social, and cultural reasons for polygyny in rural Egypt. It particularly investigates gender relations in polygynous marriages -- whether they are a mere reflection of social and economic factors in the society and whether they are subject to change as both men and women try to achieve their personal goals. The research explores how gender relations influence and are influenced by the economic (financial) and residential dynamics in polygynous households; interpersonal relations in polygynous households with special emphasis on the means through which women seek to gain status and power compared to co-wives and/or in-laws; and the interaction between income-based gender relationships and sexual relationships. These aspects are analyzed among different socioeconomic groups in order to determine how the level and source of income determine gender relations in different groups.