Polygamy, Polygyny and Polygamous Relationships

What is the true meaning of polygamy?

Polygamy refers to maintaining a marriage to more than one spouse simultaneously. It contrasts with a monogamous relationship, which is a union between only two partners.

Although polygamy is commonly used to refer to men who are married to multiple wives, polygamy does not account for the gender of the spouses. Polygyny is the correct term for describing one husband married to multiple wives. 

Polygamy is also commonly confused with polyamory, also known as consensual non-monogamy. Polyamory refers to engaging in a consensual romantic relationship with more than one person, while polygamy requires that the individuals be married. In areas where polygamy is prohibited by law, such as the United States, de facto polygamy may emerge. 

De facto polygamy occurs when multiple would-be spouses engage in traditional marital activity; they only remain unmarried because the law prevents them from getting married. It may be challenging to distinguish between a polyamorous relationship and a de facto polygamous one, which may contribute to some of the confusion surrounding polyamory and polygamy. Polygamy is also frequently spoken of only in terms of sexual relationships, potentially creating more confusion. 

The reasons a person may engage in polygamy are varied and complex. For some, it holds important cultural significance, and others adhere to religious doctrine. Polygamy is associated with some sects of the Islamic faith and with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (informally known as the Mormon church), although the modern-day Church officially bans polygamy. 

What are polygyny, polyandry, and polygynandry?

Polygamy is defined as a marital relationship between multiple spouses. It is often used to refer to a marriage between one husband and multiple wives, but that describes a subtype of polygamy. The three subtypes are listed below: 

Polygyny 

This form of polygamy involves one husband’s marriage to multiple women. 

Polyandry 

A relationship in which one wife is wed to more than one husband is referred to as a “polyandrous” marriage. 

Polygynandry 

The marriage of multiple husbands to multiple wives is known as “polygynandry”. It is also sometimes referred to as a “group marriage.”  

Polygyny is the most common form of polygamy worldwide, which may explain why “polygamy” is often incorrectly used to refer exclusively to a husband married to multiple wives. 

Why is polygamy illegal in the US?

The term “polygamy” is often used to refer to a marriage between one husband and multiple wives. A marital union between a husband and several wives is technically a subtype of polygamy called “polygyny,” but popular culture often uses the term polygamy to refer exclusively to a union between one husband and multiple wives. 

This is likely due to the overwhelming prominence of the polygyny subtype. Polygyny accounts for the vast majority of polygamy, directly affecting its legal status in the United States. While polygamy's moral and ethical principles are debated, the justification for its illegality in the United States is based on legal arguments, not moral or religious ones. 

The American Bar Association asserts that polygamy - meaning polygyny in this case - fundamentally violates a wife’s rights under the law. They argue that polygamy violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees that every citizen is regarded equally under the law, by establishing an unequal partnership in marriage. 

In addition, evidence suggests that women in polygamous (polygynous) relationships experience greater emotional distress and lower marital satisfaction than in monogamous relationships, indicating that legal issues may be only part of the potential risks associated with polygamy.  

Do people who practice polygamy get jealous?

Polygamy is often initiated for cultural, traditional, or religious reasons. The enthusiasm of each spouse can vary considerably, as does their willingness to consent to the polygamous union.

In parts of the world where polygamy - usually referring to polygyny, or one husband with multiple wives - is widespread, jealousy is commonly reported as a significant problem. Evidence suggests that the most significant cases of jealousy occur when affection and assets are unequally distributed among wives. 

Polygamy is also associated with an increased risk of intimate partner violence, largely stemming from feelings of jealousy. In some cases, the husband used violence as a form of retaliation against a wife who was jealous of one of the husband’s other wives. In other cases, the wife, or wives, used violence against their husband as retaliation for marrying another person. 

Are polygamous relationships a form of cheating?

While the legality of polygamy varies around the world, adultery generally is not illegal. What constitutes cheating in a relationship varies from person to person and does not necessarily involve the concept of marriage. A recent survey of adults in the United States found that nearly 20% believe polygamy is morally acceptable, which may offer some insight into personal attitudes surrounding polygamy and cheating. 

Does the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS allow polygamy?

Polygamous marriages are often initiated for traditional, cultural, or religious reasons. It is important not to confuse polygamy, or the legal marriage of multiple spouses, with polyamory. Polyamory refers to romantic relationships between more than two people, but marriage is not a defining feature of the relationship. 

Some sects of the Islamic faith allow Muslim men to have up to four wives. The justification for polygamy in the Qu’ran is largely based on economic necessity, where it is proposed as a potential solution for widows and children who have lost fathers. Proponents of Islamic polygamy often cite Qu’ran verse 4:3 as the rationale underlying a husband marrying multiple wives. Although 

Although polygamy is officially against the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - informally known as Mormons or the LDS Church - it has a history of being associated with polygamy. Brigham Young, the first elected leader of the Mormon church, endorsed polygamy in the early-to-mid 19th century, although the practice of a “plural marriage” has been banned in the Mormon church for over 120 years. Despite this, some split groups of the Mormon church continue to engage in polygamy, mostly in the Western United States. 

What are the benefits of plural marriage?

Although polygamy is frequently associated with harmful effects and lower marital happiness, some evidence suggests that polygamy - specifically polygyny, where one husband has multiple wives - may have benefits.

A study of polygamous relationships in Tanzania indicated that wives in polygynous relationships experienced greater food assurance and overall better health than monogamous wives. 

However, the researchers were careful to note that the study only considered food and physical health, which may not reveal other harmful effects of polygamy. In addition, they noted that the benefits were only observed for a wife living with their husband, those married but living elsewhere saw no benefit. 

What's wrong with polygamy?

Although it may be possible for some to have healthy polygamous relationships, they are associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, adverse effects on children, and intimate partner violence. Polygamy - most notably polygyny, or one husband married to multiple wives, is also associated with several legal, ethical, and human rights concerns. 

The United Nation’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) asserts that polygamous marriage “contravenes a woman’s right to equality with men, and can have such serious emotional and financial consequences for her and her dependents that such marriages ought to be discouraged and prohibited.”The sentiment was echoed by the United Nation’s Human Rights Committee. 

Furthermore, the American Bar Association holds that polygamy violates the rights of women under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, fundamentally undermining the right women have to be treated equally to men in the eyes of the law. They propose that polygamous marriages are inherently unequal in several legal matters, creating a significant problem when attempting to apply customary law fairly to all parties in a polygamous marriage. 

The vast majority of evidence suggests that polygamy may have significant risks that outweigh any benefits. While some proponents of polygamy suggest that it could reduce economic burdens and strengthen families, there is insufficient evidence to support the conclusion that polygamy is safe or healthy. 

Where is polygamy most common?

Polygamy is most commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, where 11% of marriages are polygamous. It is most prominent in Burkina Faso, a country where 36% of marriages are polygamous.

Despite high concentrations of polygamous relationships in West Africa and Central Africa, fewer than 2% of households worldwide are polygamous. Fewer than 0.5% of relationships are polygamous in most countries outside of West and Central Africa.  

What country allows polygyny?

58 out of 200 countries statutorily allow polygamous marriages. They are mostly concentrated in Africa and the Middle East, forming a region commonly referred to as the “polygamy belt.” It is banned in all of North and South America, including in all 50 U.S. states.

Polygamy is most common in West and Central Africa. The country with the most polygamous relationships is Burkina Faso, of which 36% of the population is involved in polygamous marriage.