Is polygamy wrong?

Question

Provide reasons for your response.

Answer 1

hell yes.

Answer 2

I don't think there is anything wrong with it, at least from a theoretical moral standpoint. However it is illegal in the US, and in western culture, the mores are against it. Without a large scale social structure to deal with such a practice, it almost always begs abuse.

In other cultures, where there are social rules and mores concerning polygamy, there may be good economic and social reasons to do so. for example, some groups in Mongolia had a traditional system of polygamy/polyandry because men often had to be away from the family for many months, while following herd animals.

I live near Salt Lake City, Utah. The mainstream LDS church has publicly forbidden polygamy since 1889, when Congress officially made the practice illegal. The reasons for it's acceptance of polygamy before 1889 are rather complex, and are still a subject of much debate.

Despite the illegality, many small isolated splinter groups not associated with the church continue to practice polygamy. Such groups are notorious for producing abuse, neglect, and broken homes and families.

Additional:
It is correct that in such groups, polygamy may be used to control and subjugate women (and also men). There are no good social or economic reasons to practice polygamy in modern culture, so I can only assume that it is used as a tool of power.

Answer 3

Well, in the Bible, the patriarchs had multiple wives (and sometimes concubines), so it was accepted in their culture.

My theory is that so many men died from the frequent warfare, it made sense for the men to have more than one wife. Otherwise, there would have been many women without a husband. I'm not saying it's right, it's just the way I think this kind of thing happens.

I've heard somewhere that in Europe after WWII, this kind of situation led to arrangments of multiple partners.

Answer 4

No. I'm not sure that it is workable, sustainable, or desireable in our society, but it is not wrong. From the "christian" point of view, monogamy comes from Paul saying that deacons/church leader should be married to one woman - prior to this there where many families that were polygamist (Hmm, no teaching from christ about the evils of multiple wives???)

In some societies, a second husband or wife is very benifical for the survival of the children.

Answer 5

Yes, that should apply to people whether they take it from a religious standpoint or not. I am not religious but you certainly wouldnt catch me doing that. How can you give the same equal attention and love to everyone, it would be impossible and someone would always feel left out anyway.

Answer 6

I see nothing wrong with polygamy as long as both parties are adults and go into it with their eyes open.

I wouldn't do it but that's just me.

Answer 7

Yes and No. If it is between consenting adults who don't plan to have children, I don't care. But if they have children, I think it is wrong because most of these "families" end up on welfare and I think it is hard and confusing for the children.

Answer 8

Hell I only feel that it's wrong because it's always the men who get the opportunity to have as many women as they want.

Why can't we women have as many men? I can handle that! One for each night of the week. I'm gamed! LOL!

Answer 9

To each his own. I personally would not want to share my man with others but in certain cultures, it's actually more for economic reason than anything else.

Answer 10

legally, yes. (in most places) Morally and spritiually, depends on what you believe. I personally disagree with it, but if those who do it can do so without causing issues for the rest of us, I'm OK with it.
Besides, I'm a guy, and it's a great deal for us!!

Answer 11

yes,it is immoral and a tool used by men to control women,its the "i am a man so i deserve a harem" mentality,most always using religious roots to justify it,along with brainwashing women to make them believe it is right.