New Understanding

This is it. My last post for this quarter and the conclusion of the first half of my quest to understanding polygamy.

Since I first started this blog, what seems like a lifetime but was only 8 short weeks ago, I have come to a better understanding of polygamy.  I still do not think I would ever consider the lifestyle to be one I would participate in, but I now can accept and see the reasons why others believe it is a good thing to do.  Through this portion of the project, I have been able to shed a little bit of my ethnocentric view of the topic of polygamy and have become significantly more culturally relativistic when it comes to the topic.

I've also really enjoyed reading all of the
polygamy related online comics! 

Through my research, articles, and videos, I have been able to get a better sense of the wide range of people who participate in, condone, or shun the practice and I have gotten the opportunity to see why these people believe what they do.

Going into this project, I truly believed that it was only those of the Mormon faith and maybe some small cult-like tribes who participated in polygamy, but now I have realized that it is not the the Mormons who are polygamists but that there are several other societies and groups that also subscribe to the polygamist belief.

I think that so far, this project has proven to be very interesting and has lead me to understand a subculture that I may have gotten the opportunity to learn about otherwise.  I am very happy with the places my research has taken me thus far and can't wait to see where it takes me next!

Polygamous Penalties

In class, we have been talking about sanctions and the way people are treated when they violate rules, whether they are social norms or even laws.  This concept got me thinking what the punishments in the United States are for people caught practicing polygamy.  As it turns out this topic, like most regarding polygamy, is quite controversial.  I was very surprised by the plethora of articles, blogs, and comments that resulted from my search of  "polygamy punishments." This one from usatoday.com, highlights the hypocrisy in the laws that have been passed in the US regarding polygamy.

Apparently, there is no nationwide law (or punishment) for polygamy, but rather it is up to the states to decide what to do with their polygamous residents.  I find this to be a poor decision on the part of law makers, simply because by passing the buck of polygamy punishment to the states they are creating disunity in the country.  Some states, like Utah, have very lenient rules on polygamy and basically allow the practice as long as it does not cause issues, while other states, like New York, will send polygamous residents to jail for up to ten years.  Some states think that polygamy is okay because of its religious connections and simply view it as an "alternative lifestyle" while others could not imagine condoning such a practice.

I feel that this drastic difference in punishment is not fair for citizens who believe in either polygamy or monogamy.  Since there is no set government standard for the punishment or tolerance of polygamy, how are the nation's people supposed to know how to react to the topic?

So what do you think? Should the US have a uniform punishment for polygamy? Should it be strict?

Just a Social Norm?

Today I have found a somewhat sketchy source for this blog that if I were writing an English or History essay would not be valid.  It is authorless, and on a strange website with nothing but a series of essays, however; the essays are well written in my opinion and happen to be on the topics of on polygamy, marriage, love etc.

This authorless essay, that I have provided a link to, provides both pros and cons of polygamy. Based on the content, it seems to me that the author him/herself is a supporter of polygamy and is trying to understand the other side of the coin while also trying to prove to readers that polygamy is not a problem .  This perspective provides some interesting view on what is and is not actually acceptable and natural in human relationships.   

Although there are many interesting pros and cons brought up in the essay, the most interesting point, in my opinion, is that, according to the author, the act of polygamy is nothing more than the breaking of a social norm (monomgamy).

"What?" was the first thing that occurred to me after reading this the first time.  But after some thought I realized that the author might just be right.  In class, we have been talking about how social norms are things that society deems acceptable or unacceptable and subsequently provides either positive or negative sanctions for.  Studies have shown that humans are naturally polygamous creatures so why exactly do the vast majority of us feel the need to find a single person to dedicate our lives to? Is it because we feel pressured by society to do so? Does marriage fit into the category of a social norm? Is polygamy simply someone going against the grain and breaking it?

Think about it.

Polygamy Pros

When most women think about polygamy (if they every do), they think about the jealousy that may occur with having to share their husband with other women. They think about all of the extra chores there would be to do around the house.  And they think about the shear awkwardness of living such a lifestyle.  Or so I thought.

As I was searching for an interesting article to show you today, I came across this one on Psychology Today.  The article claims that it is actually the women, not the men, who reap the most benefits from a polygamous life.  At first I did not believe the author but after reading that women have a tendency to need "less" of a husband and therefore would rather share a wealthy man with a high social status rather than have a man of a lower status to themselves it started to make more sense.  The women who choose a polygamous life are also choosing one that will move them higher up the social latter.  To them sharing a husband is a small price to pay for the major benefits that come along with their new status.

The author also brought up a good point by saying that the single male to single female ratio in the world is essentially 50:50, but if more women partook in polygamy the ratio would drastically alter and the men would get the short end of the stick.

I had never before considered this side of polygamy.  Prior to reading this article I believed that women, in fact, were the ones getting jipped in a polygamous relationship, however; I was mistaken.

I find it very interesting that men typically seem to be the ones who think polygamy is such a stellar idea, when really it is the women who should be all for it.  Although I still do not believe in the practice myself, I am starting to see why others might.