I remember reading about an area, I can't remember if it was somewhere in China or another country in the region, where there weren't enough women to go around. Therefore, brothers would often share a wife between them. Any children born of the woman would call the oldest brother "father" and the younger one "uncle."
It can work, but yes, there's probably a reason why it's rarer than polygyny, and I would assume that inability (until recently) to determine who was the biological father of any children born to the wife would be the major reason.
EDIT: I just looked it up, and it's Tibet, and the reason it is practiced is not a shortage of women but a shortage of land. There's not enough land to split between all the sons of the family, so they all stay in the same household, sharing a wife between them, rather than each one starting his own. Not knowing who is the father of any children born to the wife isn't as big of an issue since all the husbands are related anyway.
It can work, but yes, there's probably a reason why it's rarer than polygyny, and I would assume that inability (until recently) to determine who was the biological father of any children born to the wife would be the major reason.
EDIT: I just looked it up, and it's Tibet, and the reason it is practiced is not a shortage of women but a shortage of land. There's not enough land to split between all the sons of the family, so they all stay in the same household, sharing a wife between them, rather than each one starting his own. Not knowing who is the father of any children born to the wife isn't as big of an issue since all the husbands are related anyway.
This message last edited by ßelals Girl on 07/10/2010 at 08:42:30 PM
Polygamy, why is it illegal?
07/10/2010 03:36:18 AM
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When potential welfare issues are removed, it's all just a matter of tradition and false morality.
07/10/2010 05:34:21 AM
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This explains Friday nights at Gilleys.
07/10/2010 01:26:37 PM
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Think of the implications of China's one-child policy in that light
07/10/2010 01:37:11 PM
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have you ever been to Gilley's on a friday night?
07/10/2010 05:12:11 PM
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No. Country music hasn't been produced since the mid-fifties.
08/10/2010 11:17:27 AM
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really? I guess that is when they stopped making real rock and roll as well
08/10/2010 02:33:15 PM
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I would assume due to practicality issues and such.
07/10/2010 07:49:16 AM
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I have a feeling the ACTUAL reasons are closer to moralistic reasons...
07/10/2010 12:30:33 PM
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This.
07/10/2010 05:35:40 PM
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There's a name I've not seen in a while.
08/10/2010 11:22:01 AM
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I don't think single wife mutiple husband can work
07/10/2010 05:55:33 PM
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Oh, it can
07/10/2010 06:51:59 PM
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Didn't you see Paint Your Wagon?
07/10/2010 07:21:54 PM
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Paint Your Wagon was about the California gold rush
07/10/2010 08:24:24 PM
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Lol.
07/10/2010 08:27:14 PM
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and that is the best back handed compliment I have had since the last time I saw my ex-wife
08/10/2010 04:24:40 PM
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I think it can, in certain situations
07/10/2010 08:29:47 PM
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Because we need someone for the far right to demonize now that gays are becoming mainstream.
07/10/2010 01:22:24 PM
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I only see a problem when it is run by a cult and girls are married off at 14
07/10/2010 05:18:13 PM
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For the same reasons Americans don't eat horse meat.
08/10/2010 02:58:24 AM
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I'm an American and I eat horse meat. *NM*
08/10/2010 05:19:51 AM
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Re: I'm an American
08/10/2010 01:02:23 PM
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At this rate, we'll soon be asking why kids can't have sex with adults. *NM*
08/10/2010 02:23:16 PM
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What the heck does that have to do with polygamy?
08/10/2010 02:57:37 PM
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Re: What the heck does that have to do with polygamy?
13/10/2010 04:22:24 PM
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You are also a Muslim, correct? Islam doesn't seem to have a problem with up to 4 wives. (at a time)
13/10/2010 04:12:44 PM
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