Polygamy

[Angel]

I just wanted to broadcast to everyone that the TLC channel will have a new Reality Tv show on a polygamous family. The name of the show is Sister Wives and it starts tonight (sept. 26, 2010). I think the couple and their kids are Mormons but they don't act or dress like those in Mormon sects. They look and act like the average family and even seem outgoing which may be one reason why TLC decided to host them on a show.

Here's YouTube video promo of the show:



About the show from TLC's website:
http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/sister-wives/

I hope this show can stir some debate and reach wide audiences to one day soon have legislators legalize polygamy or at least take away the 'criminal' status of it. There's also a Usergroup on this forum called ProPolygamy for anyone who wants to join.

[Kuan]

That was very interesting, thanks for that insight. I believe that it will be useful for the forum members.

[Angel]

Zzyzx,

Thanks for sharing your personal story of your wife and her experience in polygamy. Reminds me of Carolyn Jessop except that Carolyn had to escape her polygamous sect. I don't know if from all this if you will always conclude that polygamy should always be banned, because there are others (non-FLDS and even non-religious people) who would practice polygamy if it weren't illegal. I'm for the latter if it is adult consensual polygamy.


Btw, the Brown's family (the polygamous family on Sister Wives, the Reality TV show on TLC) will be on Oprah's show today (October 14, 2010.) It may be interesting depending on what type on questions she asks the family who don't look or act like the 19th century looking women that we're accustomed to seeing in polygamy from the mainstream media. You should've emailed Oprah some good questions Zzyzx but I guess it's too late.

[Zzyzx]

.

Thanks for sharing your personal story of your wife and her experience in polygamy.

My intent is NOT to show that polygamy is “wrong� but that PERVERTED religion is used to manipulate people and that Fanatical Religion can be very toxic, particularly when used to further the agenda of church officials such as her uncle Warren (now imprisoned) and her father (who died insane, literally). Those people deliberately manipulated others, particularly young women, to satisfy their own desires.

Reminds me of Carolyn Jessop except that Carolyn had to escape her polygamous sect.

My wife escaped at age sixteen and helped her mother literally kidnap younger brothers and sisters. Their story would make anything currently televised look pale by comparison (but they are not interested in publicity).

She avoided becoming a child bride by being so rebellious as to be considered by church officials as being “un-marriageable� – then married someone outside the cult.

I don't know if from all this if you will always conclude that polygamy should always be banned,

I absolutely do NOT think polygamy should be banned.

Religious coercion should be banned, not polygamy.

Polygamy involving adults with informed consent and non-coerced is perfectly acceptable to me, and should certainly not be illegal. If a woman wishes to have more than one husband (polyandry) or a man wishes to have more than one wife (polygyny), or if a group of men and women wish to have a communal marriage, and if all involved agree, are adults, and are not coerced, “go for it� (and “hang on, it is likely to be a wild ride -- and nothing like you expect�).

I do not recommend multiple marriages because most of us under most circumstances have all we can do to maintain one marriage (as our 50% divorce rate signifies), let alone trying to handle the complexity of multiple marriages.

because there are others (non-FLDS and even non-religious people) who would practice polygamy if it weren't illegal.

I am not personally aware of non-religious polygamy (between informed, consenting adults), but am confident that such arrangements exist (even though not legally sanctioned as marriages).

I'm for the latter if it is adult consensual polygamy.

Agreed.

Btw, the Brown's family (the polygamous family on Sister Wives, the Reality TV show on TLC) will be on Oprah's show today (October 14, 2010.) It may be interesting depending on what type on questions she asks the family who don't look or act like the 19th century looking women that we're accustomed to seeing in polygamy from the mainstream media.

I do miss some interesting things by avoiding television.

[Angel]

Wisely said, Zzyzx. I appreciate your insight knowing that you actually know people who were involved in the FLDS.


I posted some of my thoughts on Facebook and thought it would be good insight for any reader who's interested...


Both monogamy and polygamy have had some bad histories when it comes to how women were treated, etc. IN both relationships, women used to be treated like property with little to no rights and education and often had no choice in who they were to marry. It's still like that in some parts of the world. BUT we see now how monogamy has evolved to improve as it has been practiced in a DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE society where women have equal rights, aren't treated like property, and choose their marriage partner. Psychologists have added to improving monogamy by finding how what works to help the relationship function best. Now polygamy has not been given a chance to evolve in a PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC society. It's often practiced in isolation with unequal rights esp. with women and when it comes to the laws making it illegal. Psychologists have also not been involved much in examining these relationships to IMPROVE them rather than just simply observing them as they have in monogamous relationships which also weren't perfect in history nor are they perfect now. This is one reason why I believe if we legalize polygamy and allow it to evolve in a progressive society, than that would make it more open to improve like monogamy has. Maybe now we're getting a few glimpses of better forms of polygamy (like the Brown's family hosted in the REality Tv show, "Sister Wives" although they're not perfect) since some of the laws are being loosened for poly families in UTah and other areas. Anyways, sorry for the long post, just thought I'd share my thoughts.

[Kuan]

There is nothing wrong with a long post as long as it has something worth reading, that was worth reading.