Polygamy tends to work practically when only one gender practices it. A single man with multiple wives or a single woman with multiple husbands can still be a cohesive family unit. A man with multiple wives, each of whom is also married to multiple men who probably also have other wives, etc no longer is. Marriage would cease to be a useful social construct in that case.
Since there would be no way the government could legally get away with only allowing one gender to marry multiple partners and not the other, you'd risk large multiple marriages where any one person could have as many other spouses as they wished, at which point the societal benefits of marriage would be impossible to apply practically.
Since there would be no way the government could legally get away with only allowing one gender to marry multiple partners and not the other, you'd risk large multiple marriages where any one person could have as many other spouses as they wished, at which point the societal benefits of marriage would be impossible to apply practically.
That last sentence. Even if you ignore the gender issue, it still becomes difficult to apply the societal benefits of marriage. Divorce, custody, etc would become ridiculously complicated anytime there were multiple wives with "shared" children.
I think it works in certain cultures because their benefits of marriage are very different, as are the laws/traditions governing divorce, child welfare, alimony, etc. Even people (like myself) who are fine with the idea of polygamy often have a difficult time with that other set of customs that goes along with it. I just don't see how legal multiple marriages can work without impinging on the rights of one or more parties involved.
Spiritual marriages are another matter, of course.
Personally I think the problem is overstated so long as you know going into it that you have to address it preemptively, and do so. For example, if one person leaves a group marriage it seems pretty obvious that unless the original home is abusive or unsafe that should be the one with primary custody. That doesn't mean the departing spouse should be cut off the childs life, of course, but I trust you see what I'm saying.
Also, I have mail for you, but no idea where to send it.
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Polygamy, why is it illegal?
- 07/10/2010 03:36:18 AM
1041 Views
When potential welfare issues are removed, it's all just a matter of tradition and false morality.
- 07/10/2010 05:34:21 AM
448 Views
This explains Friday nights at Gilleys. 
- 07/10/2010 01:26:37 PM
499 Views
- 07/10/2010 01:26:37 PM
499 Views
Think of the implications of China's one-child policy in that light
- 07/10/2010 01:37:11 PM
422 Views
have you ever been to Gilley's on a friday night?
- 07/10/2010 05:12:11 PM
428 Views
No. Country music hasn't been produced since the mid-fifties. 
- 08/10/2010 11:17:27 AM
525 Views
- 08/10/2010 11:17:27 AM
525 Views
really? I guess that is when they stopped making real rock and roll as well
- 08/10/2010 02:33:15 PM
459 Views
I would assume due to practicality issues and such.
- 07/10/2010 07:49:16 AM
520 Views
I have a feeling the ACTUAL reasons are closer to moralistic reasons...
- 07/10/2010 12:30:33 PM
466 Views
This.
- 07/10/2010 05:35:40 PM
441 Views
There's a name I've not seen in a while.
- 08/10/2010 11:22:01 AM
514 Views
I don't think single wife mutiple husband can work
- 07/10/2010 05:55:33 PM
431 Views
Oh, it can
- 07/10/2010 06:51:59 PM
470 Views
Didn't you see Paint Your Wagon?
- 07/10/2010 07:21:54 PM
397 Views
Paint Your Wagon was about the California gold rush
- 07/10/2010 08:24:24 PM
461 Views
- 07/10/2010 08:24:24 PM
461 Views
Lol.
- 07/10/2010 08:27:14 PM
480 Views
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
458 Views
- 08/10/2010 04:24:40 PM
458 Views
Because we need someone for the far right to demonize now that gays are becoming mainstream.
- 07/10/2010 01:22:24 PM
583 Views
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
471 Views
For the same reasons Americans don't eat horse meat.
- 08/10/2010 02:58:24 AM
445 Views
I'm an American and I eat horse meat. *NM*
- 08/10/2010 05:19:51 AM
196 Views
Re: I'm an American
- 08/10/2010 01:02:23 PM
435 Views
At this rate, we'll soon be asking why kids can't have sex with adults. *NM*
- 08/10/2010 02:23:16 PM
210 Views
What the heck does that have to do with polygamy?
- 08/10/2010 02:57:37 PM
513 Views
Re: What the heck does that have to do with polygamy?
- 13/10/2010 04:22:24 PM
512 Views
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
497 Views