Why does the US government allow polygamy in some states? Don't they see how much harm it causes to women?

Question

I saw this show a while ago about polygamy and it talked about how many women and children get hurt by it. Why don't Americans do anything about it (and of course our government?)

I am not saying that it's all bad or anything. Just looking for more information!!!

Answer 1

As a Utahn (and a Mormon but no longer practicing since I'm gay), I feel I should clarify this. Polygamy is NOT legal here in Utah or anywhere else. Nor is it condoned or approved by the Mormon Church. The people who do practice polygamy usually live in isolated desert towns where they are less likely to face prosecution. As a matter of fact, the Utah Attorney General (who is Mormon) has been crusading for a while to crack down on polygamy due to the high incidence of child abuse, welfare fraud, etc. Also, those who practice polygamy are and have always been mistakenly referred to as "Mormon fundamentalists" when in reality they do not belong, nor have any affiliation with, the Mormon church at all. In fact, many of their beliefs do not concur with "mainstream" Mormon beliefs. To be blunt, mainstream Mormonism (mormonism as the world knows it) has nothing whatsoever to do with the polygamist sects, and vice versa. I hope this clarifies some misunderstandings on the issue.

Let me just add my personal opinion though: since I am openly gay, I naturally believe in gay marriage. I also don't think that there is anything wrong with polygamy in theory. If all those involved are completely consenting and of legal age, then they should have the right to do as they want. After all, who are they hurting?? I think it is wrong and becomes a problem when they involve minors in the lifestyle (as spouses).

Answer 2

Some people do it because of religious belief and might be able to get away with it that way.

I don't believe that polygamy itself is harmful but the lifestyles that the people have is harmful.

If you think about the world is evolving into a world where the norm should be 1 husband, 2 wives. There are 2 women for every man (natures little survival plan since 1 man can create tons of children every day, but 1 woman can only create a child every 9 months).

With the economy today it would be better if two of the parents worked full time and one parent stayed home to raise the children. That is if the three of them kept the number of children down to what is normal now (2-3 kids).
Also, have you ever had a third person (like your mom) help you watch the kids on occasion. Notice how much easier it is to function and get everything done.

Don't worry about the sex thing because one you get married sex stops anyway.

Back to your hurting women and children statement. What hurts them is the lack of control having kids. If each wife has 2-3 kids that really adds up. The cost of all that is expensive and you have to admit that the people who engage in this behavior are not Fortune 500 CEOs. They are broke and any man who is so into himself to have all those wives can't stand being broke.

Answer 3

It is a state matter. In fact no state specifically allows for polygamy. In Utah where the Mormon faith is predominate, it used to be that polygamy was the norm. It has been since the turn of last century, however, that it was legal. So what would you propose to do about such a matter if an entire county believed and practiced polygamy? Do you go in an arrest everybody? It seems sort of pointless to tear apart families and send the father to prison - especially when no one is complaining. Further if you ask the women in that environment, they seem to LIKE the arrangement. Who am I to judge? From the tone of your question, I think that you are so accumstomed to monogamy that you can't imagine how polygamy might work and be beneficial to all of those involved.

Answer 4

Polygamy is only legal under very certain religious and state circumstances.

Try to remember that not all polygamy is bad. In fact from an economics point of view it is better for women than it is for men. There are bad polygamous families and there are good polygamous families... just as there are bad monogymous families and there are good monogymous families.

The programs you watch get better ratings by showing the bad situations, especially in cases that are like polygamy where the subject matter is very different from what most americans experience in their everyday lives. This doesn't mean that it is all bad, it means that there is some bad, just as there is evil and corruption in any system. There are also many many monogymous relationships that end sour for women and children, like you know, about 40% of monogymous relationships in America.


Tiger Striped Dog MD

Answer 5

You're idea that it's harmful to women is a little off. I've seen a few shows on TV about polygamy and the women in those marriages actually love each other like sisters. They see nothing wrong with sharing their husbands and enjoy their lifestyle.

And it's illegal in all 50 states. They aren't allowing it, they just are strictly enforcing it.

You need some more facts before asking a question like this.

Answer 6

Polygamy is not legal anywhere. The people that are polygamists do it with out the legal acknowledgment of the State and US gov.
Remember that a lot of issues and laws are to be determined by the States.
We are in a way 50 countries with different rules for everything, some the same but different non the less.

Answer 7

I think polygamy is only legal in Utah - the reason is that Utah is where the Mormon religion originated, and the Mormon religion used to include polygamy, allowing husbands to have multiple wives.

Answer 8

It's not "allowed". Many polygamists are arrested by the state -if- there's proof of polygamy. Proof is hard to get though when everyone claims they're just roommates.

Answer 9

Government does not allow Polygamy. Period.

Answer 10

It's not that the US government that allows this. It is the state. Each state has its own governing body that both entangles that of the federal but is also its own.

This could also be viewed as a religous aspect. Take the mormons for example. They can have multiple wives.