Polygamy In The United States
Once referred to as the “original marriage” Polygamy is now an alternative lifestyle lived by many, but is it right? There are multiple countries around the world that believe that this is in fact an applicable way of living. The Origins of polygamy are extremely vast and are practiced all over the world. However, in the United States it is illegal, yet there are many knowing individuals who still partake in this style of living. It is reported that “there are 40,000 people living in polygamous families or communities across the Western region of the U.S” (Scharnberg & Brachear, 2006). Should these people be prosecuted? Or are we as Americans pre judging a lifestyle that we know nothing about? In this paper, I will discuss what polygamy is,
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Polygyny is the practice of having more than one wife at the same time. This was the original name for polygamy during the ninetieth century, it later became known as polygamy. The second form is polyandry which is the act of having many husbands at more than one time. Of the three, this practice is rare; it was traditionally practiced among Tibetans in Nepal and parts of China. The final form is group marriage (also referred to as circle marriage) this is the act of multiple women and men forming a single family. All members of the marriage share parental duties of any children they may have or will be created within their …show more content…
And it is civilly recognized in almost fifty countries. Polygamy has been found in more places and more times in history than any other form of marriage. Historically marriage original purpose was purely for economic and political gain. Love and monogamy was later associated with marriage. In many cultures love is disregarded as brainless and foolish. In Judaism, Hebrew Scriptures document approximately forty polygamists. Polygamy was considered a realistic, alternative in case of female infertility, famine, and/or widowhood. In Leviticus 18:18 it states “you shall not marry a woman in addition to her sister as a rival while she is alive, to uncover her nakedness.” (Fox, 2000) In this phrase the Hebrew term for “a woman in addition to her sister” is interpreted by the Jews as co- wives and not necessarily blood relatives. Thus, in modern day polygamy is not heavily practiced, but there is still a small following of the
Polygyny is the practice of having more than one wife at the same time. This was the original name for polygamy during the ninetieth century, it later became known as polygamy. The second form is polyandry which is the act of having many husbands at more than one time. Of the three, this practice is rare; it was traditionally practiced among Tibetans in Nepal and parts of China. The final form is group marriage (also referred to as circle marriage) this is the act of multiple women and men forming a single family. All members of the marriage share parental duties of any children they may have or will be created within their …show more content…
And it is civilly recognized in almost fifty countries. Polygamy has been found in more places and more times in history than any other form of marriage. Historically marriage original purpose was purely for economic and political gain. Love and monogamy was later associated with marriage. In many cultures love is disregarded as brainless and foolish. In Judaism, Hebrew Scriptures document approximately forty polygamists. Polygamy was considered a realistic, alternative in case of female infertility, famine, and/or widowhood. In Leviticus 18:18 it states “you shall not marry a woman in addition to her sister as a rival while she is alive, to uncover her nakedness.” (Fox, 2000) In this phrase the Hebrew term for “a woman in addition to her sister” is interpreted by the Jews as co- wives and not necessarily blood relatives. Thus, in modern day polygamy is not heavily practiced, but there is still a small following of the