POLYGAMY, A TERM PAPER

(a school project by a Grade-8 student)

OUTLINE

This term paper is an insightful presentation about Polygamy, an old and sensitive issue that needs to understand by every young people and respect by conservative individuals.  From its very definition, polygamy is a marital matter that will require extra sensitivity in reading the whole paper.  Some words may not suitable, confusing or incomprehensible for young readers, therefore guidance from parents or elder should require to raise.

Polygamy is with us.  From the beginning of creation, it has appeared up to this day.  Different persons, different times and different situations but it is always the same purpose – unity of two persons.  This term paper will discuss why it is forbidden for some and why it seems not accepted but not avoidable.

It will discuss the early beginning of polygamy that passes through different religions.  It will undergo the basic understanding in polygamy and its roles from times dating back from the most ancient times up to our present day, effects why it is good or bad and as conclusion will give proposition.

INTRODUCTION

In every new things that we do not exactly know, we student will immediately ask what it is about.  When heard of polygamy, we ask ourselves what is polygamy?  Through some readings, the meaning of polygamy seems to be interesting to know.  Polygamy is derived from Greek words, “Poly” means “many” or “several” and “gamy” means “marriage” and when put them together it will mean many or several marriages.  When it applies to human, polygamy means a person having several marriages at one time.  It is the act of marrying multiple spouses, which means it is having more than one husband or wife at one time.  There are two forms of polygamy:  the polygyny which means a man having more wives and the polyandry is a woman having more husbands.  Some say there is 3^rd which is the Group Marriage wherein it consists of mixture of spouses from both sexes.  A person who went on many partners after each civil or legal relationship is not polygamy.  As long as there is no binding contract between the two on their relationship like divorced or separated, it is not polygamy.

That is why it is important that we need to understand what is polygamy, how it works and why it exists so that we will able to know where to put ourselves in different situations.  Understanding polygamy, we will not prejudge people and we will learn to respect each other’s belief, culture and opinion.  People should not be judgmental and always observe sensitivity and respect towards to others regardless of any situation.   But amidst of the conflict between pro and anti, and polygamous and not, the key to enter into any relationship is faithfulness.

SUMMARY OF TERM PAPER

Polygamy is a kind of marriage which legally allows multiple partners.  It has been in existence since long time in fact it was started even the times of catholic prophets. During those times, polygyny, which means a man having more wives, was very common because it served as status symbol for great men that lead their people during their times.  It also served as tool to make their race fast growing, intact and prosper their population.

Even up to these days, this is the very essence of polygamy but aside from this, polygamy is carried out to not fail the affections between the polygamous persons.  It answers the most common rational that men and women can possible fall in love with other person aside from their first partner.  Polygamy has strong implications of having a strong family tie relationship and huge love among the family members.

Polygamy has many effects that could be beneficial or distractive.   The main effects of polygamy in marriage or relationship could be jealousy and inequality.  There are no two persons alike.  There will be one who will exceed over the other. Just like in relationship, one will come out the most loved over the other and thus treatment will differ.  It has health hazard for polyandry, which means a woman having more husbands because aside from she needs to take care her children but her physique needs also to attend her responsibilities to her multiple husbands.

It has also effects in children who are so vulnerable.  Since polygamy is not openly accepted and seems to be not a normal practice, therefore children of polygamous family usually suffer the stigma of society’s judgmental people.  Children are usually labeled as product of carnal relationship only and suspected to be turned out grossly since they are exposed to this set up of marriage thus they become independent when they go out of their homes.

If there are good for these days, most often than not, the effect of polygamy in a family is the solidarity.  The bigger the family is, the stronger, more durable, more stable and more collaborative.  The more polygamous families, the more unity, solidarity and cooperation in the community.   Knowing each other

But it is still not very popular choice up to this date.  It usually looks against all odds which makes it unusual and eerie.  Oftentimes, bad etiquette is the first impression that most people give to polygamy.  We people has made the standard set of behavior in a community as what is normal or what is not to do in our society.  Unfortunately, polygamy always comes in question if it is standard norm in our community.  It has impression of so old fashion and backward. 

Generally, polygamy is unpopular because of its negative aspects to many people.  It is our choice.  We were given freewill to choose our heart and mind as long as we do not violate rules in the community we belong.

CONTENT

Polygamy (po·​lyg·​a·​my): is a marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time.  Polygamy is being practices in 60 countries around the world.  It is equivalent to 30% of approximately 200 countries in the world.  By default, these 60 countries are not necessarily legalizing polygamy but some of them are recognizing it due to their old tradition and culture, and due to religion.  Most of these countries exist in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.  While Middle East is Muslim dominated countries where polygamy is legally practiced, other countries allow it with some restrictions.

The opposite of polygamy is monogamy, from Greek word “mono” means “one”.  Polygamy started long before our history in fact it was mentioned in the books of Christians, Hindus, and Muslims.  In Quran, it was a response to a specific social situation.  "And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you - [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one - or [from among] those whom you rightfully posses. This will make it more likely that you will not deviate from the right course." (Surah an Nisaa - Women, 4:3). 

In the Old Testament, many noted men were polygamists in the likes of Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon and to name a few.  Solomon alone had 700 wives according to 1 Kings 11:3.  In Christian, polygamy was mentioned in several verses.  Among these are in Genesis 4:19 “And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one [was] Adah, and the name of the other Zillah”.  In “2 Chronicles 11:21 “And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)”

In these situations, it is believed in Christendom during the ancient time, God only allows for polygamy but does not command it.  God allowed polygamy to protect the unmarried women because it was almost not possible for an unmarried woman to provide for herself because during that time, women were uneducated and untrained.   Women were just relied on their fathers, brothers, and husbands for provision and protection.  A man can take multiple wives to serve as the provider and protector of them all.

Polygamy still exists in our world today.  In most of us it may unusual in our general perception but there are legal bases and acceptance to it.  Some fundamentalist from Church of the Latter Day Saints or Mormons continue the practice of multiple marriages but discontinued it over a century ago and excommunicates anyone who practices it.  In Islam, a man can have wives if he can be able to provide them all.  But other than religious belief, we ask ourselves why polygamy still exists in this modern world today.  In country where polygamy is prohibited, any person having more than one marriage while still legally married to another could be charged of “bigamy”.  It is crime and punishable.  Unfortunately and sadly to say, many of these so-called monogamists are committing adultery and concubenage.  And again, unfortunately they criticize polygamy as taboo but here they are unable to control their weaknesses in committing the taboo that they are condemning.  But on the other hand, countries with its people accept multiple marriages because it promotes individual rights and freedom.  In reality, in some point, married people come in time their desire to others.  It is now depends on one’s strength and control.  People in polygamous belief, they have this free option to use this right to marry another one.  Specially men, it allows their natural in-born chauvinism by having as many female partners as possible.  Without polygamy, we make men accountable for unfaithfulness because generally men will still go out to satisfy that desire to be with many women.  On the part of women, polygamy reduces the statistics of unmarried women in society.  In both sides, polygamy helps to prevents adultery and concubinage.  Adultery means a wife who has carnal relationship with a man who is not her husband while concubinage means a husband who has sexual relationship with a woman who is not his wife.  And in legal basis, polygamy scratches these because there is no more legal hindrance.  While more male babies are born than female, men are more likely to die earlier than women either in accidents of from violent causes.  As they go to marrying age, women outnumbered men and this plays the idea of one man to two women. 

While we may think that polygamy is widespread in the Middle East, it is interesting to note that polygamy has been more present in the Africa.  Reasons are because most African societies believe more children as form of wealth and more children means to be more powerful.  It also means that more children means more will cultivate their land.  Also more wives lead to more alliance.  And women believe that they are safe in a large house with more member of the family.  Polygamy is somehow a survival.  Families are practicing it for the protection of their wealth, and tribes are practicing it for protection of their population.

Without taking it in religious reason, polygamy happens in countries with culture of allowing the powerful men to have more wives like the male leaders to give them instant impression of the sense of masculinity and strength.  Giving these powerful male leaders with more wives would provide them produce more powerful children who will defend their tribes.  While it is impossible for this man to have two children in one year with a wife, polygamy allows the man to have more children with one or more wives within the span of a year.  Because a man can father as many children in a short period while women is limited only to one pregnancy every nine months.  Here, polygamy is for procreation and for enhancing of their human race.  This is more on multiplying the race and it empowers the family to lead his group or tribe who has this culture.  And behind every successful man are the women who support him and regarded these women in securing the marriage.  They are acknowledged as the guardian of their leader and this calls them the reason of their leader’s strength/power.  This kind of marriage sees women as great importance to their husband.  It serves as way of strengthening the husband’s power that is why these women accepted and acknowledged this kind of marriage.

In Nyinba Nepal, they practice polyandry, in which one woman has more than one husband.   In their culture, when a woman marries a man, she also marries the brothers of the man.  This kind of marriage arrangement is more on the wealth of the family to become intact and preserve their ancestral land and wealth too.  This set-up of marriage allows all brothers the equal access to mate with the woman and subsequently, all brothers should act the father of the children even the family can know the specific father of a child.  But we must remember also that it depends on belief and culture, there are restrictions and codes in practicing polygamy.  In Islamic tradition, a man is allowed up to four wives, but only if he can support them and treat them all equally.

Other than religion and culture, polygamy exists still exists naturally and forcibly because human by nature has this carnal desire.  As the saying that goes men are born polygamous, by this statement alone we conclude polygamy seems to be unavoidable because again and again men would really come forward to look partners.  While women were tagged or labeled as the weaker sex, their desire to others is there waiting a trigger factor to release.  And this factor could be the polygamous men that surround them, or their poor faith, maybe true affection, or it could of being liberated and the security reason.

IMPLICATIONS OF POLYGAMY

Religion

There are two sides of the story, the pro and the anti.  Those religions that allow polygamy definitely have the implications of having strong family tie relationship and huge love among the family members.  While on the other side, it usually looks against all odds which make the religion unusual and eerie.  Polygamy is so old fashion and backward.

Community

Oftentimes, bad etiquette is the first impression that most people give to polygamy.  We people has made the standard set of behavior in a community as what is normal or what is not to do in our society.  Unfortunately, polygamy always comes in question if it is standard norm in our community.

Beliefs

The implication of polygamy on one’s belief is the careful, sensitive, and the good handling of relationship.  It brings to one’s own belief the ability to make his or her big family perfect despite the many obstacles, challenges and criticisms which give them the high esteem and sense of pride.

EFFECTS OF POLYGAMY

Marriage/Relationship

The main effects of polygamy in marriage or relationship could be jealousy and inequality.  There are no two persons alike.  There will be one who will exceed over the other. Just like in relationship, one will come out the most loved over the other and thus treatment will differ.

Children

Since polygamy is not openly accepted and seems to be not a normal practice, therefore children of polygamous family usually suffer the stigma of society’s judgmental people.  Children are usually labeled as product of carnal relationship only and suspected to be turned out grossly since they are exposed to this set up of marriage.

Family

Most often than not, the effect of polygamy in a family is the solidarity.  The bigger the family is, the stronger, more durable, more stable and more collaborative.  The more polygamous families, the more unity and solidarity of the community.  And since they are seemed to be odd, they become independent.

Church

It has limited and slow propagation of their teachings since polygamous is the less minority in our society.

Community

In a community of polygamous people, the effects of polygamy are the unity, solidarity and knowing each other thus cooperation is always there.  As result, they can achieve and reach their goals with fewer difficulties.

FINDINGS

Through research from different sites, it is found out that there are some 60 countries that allow polygamy.  This number means not necessarily permit legally but it can be recognized with restrictions thru religion, cultural and socially recognized at government level, or may fully or partially practiced in the below mentioned countries.

Name of Country	Special Remarks
Afghanistan
Algeria
Australia	Foreign marriage when it is entered into will be recognized as a valid marriage.
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Burkina Faso	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Cameroon
Chad
Central African Republic
Republic of the Congo	Determination that is undefined due to communications
Djibouti
Egypt
Gabon
Gambia
Guinea	The most recent country legalized polygamy (January 2018)
India	allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Indonesia	Except for in the provinces of Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, and West Papua
Iran
Iraq	Except for in Iraqi Kurdistan
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Kenya	Determination that is undefined due to communications
Malaysia	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Malawi
Maldives	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Mali
Mauritania
Mongolia	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Nigeria	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Oman
Pakistan	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Philippines	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Qatar
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Singapore	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Somalia
South Sudan
South Africa
Sri Lanka	Allow at some level with Muslim populations or indigenous populations that recognize them at the government level
Sudan,
Syria	Except in Syrian Kurdistan
Swaziland	Determination that is undefined due to communications
Solomon Islands
Togo
Tanzania
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Yemen
Zambia
United Kingdom that	As long as they were performed outside of the United Kingdom in countries that allow it.

On the other hand, polygamy is practice majorly in Muslims and Judaism.  Hinduism practices it not for the purpose of carnal pleasure but for procreation and continuation of family lineage, while in Buddhism, it is not legal but not forbid.  Latter Day Saints or Mormons used to practice it before but stopped.  Likewise, it is also found out that despite its existence for thousands of years ago, polygamy is still not yet widely and openly accepted by the general public.

RECOMMENDATION

Polygamy is by choice.  There is no religion that commands the obligatory polygamy.  In our intention to live simple, in our purpose to live peacefully and pleasant to the eyes of the Lord, it is still commendable to practice equality, sincerity and honesty in marriage.  If the community permit it and the person are absolutely believes on it with full fairness in their whole heart, then there is no one from us to condemn them.  It is still depends in the true integrity of person in entering polygamy.  It is not just a mature decision but it also requires all kind of strength.

If there is doubt and prejudice in the first impression about polygamy, it needs to open the heart, mind and soul not necessarily to accept it but to understand and respect it.  That is it why it is important to discover polygamy and find out how it affects your conviction and belief.   Read more, do researches, gather information and facts and come up with the resolution on how to deal with polygamous people and the polygamy itself.

Since people has different takes in religious preference, relationships, sexual orientation, it is recommended for every reader to be sensitive in taking the full context of this writing.  Likewise, by the content of this term paper, it is recommended for Grade 7 children and above in able to introduce them the principles of polygamy.

CONCLUSION

It is difficult to separate religious belief and individual differences when it comes to polygamy but amidst of this, respect is the first lesson to get in writing this term paper and it should be loud and clear.  Polygamy is part of our history, tradition, culture and belief since date back to thousands of years ago.  But amidst of these, we can still see the thin line that separates them and personal preference.

There should be no question on religion but on people who used religion as an excuse, there is where the doubt comes from.  Without reasoning faith and tradition, some reason of practicing polygamy is the male greed who wants to be surrounded by women and who uplift self esteem to be respected as loved by many women, these men are taking advantage the group they come from.  It is male egotism, they are looking themselves powerful than someone else, exuding self-worth for them to have these women maybe to prove their excellent physical attribute, virility, potency, and masculinity.  It is very unfair for women to be used which they do not deserve.  Today is 2019 and unfortunately, there are still men who have high regards to their extreme bigotry to their masculinity.  On the other hand, yes there is female polygamy but it is either in secret or not accepted as show in statistics but either way, this gives an unfair initial impression to women in polygamy situation labeling them as merely sex tools and indecent.

Polygamy is anti-women.  For women with more than one husband, it is easy to label them immoral while the men enjoy the reputation of being loved by not one woman but two or more women.  It puts men in a pedestal where they can be like God who has served by his servants.  It is disrespectful to women.  While it allows the women to have more husbands, it is not as much as obvious as men do have more wives because of stigma associated to it when it comes to women.  That is why it appears pro-men.   It is burden to the part of women.  Being a co-wife is definitely painful.  Living in an everyday completion with her co-wives is her worst misery.  There is tension in the house as to who is who, there are intrigues as to let say division of household labor between several wives and jealousy of course.  On the other hand, these are not the cases when a woman has multiple husbands.  While it adversely affects women’s health, it is usually not easy for them to perform her duties as a wife and mother of children from several husbands.  Women are experiencing psychological and behavioral changes during menstruation cycle.

Polygamy is more on status symbol for men than women who most often than not prosecuted even it is legally accepted in the community she belonged.  It serves also for husbands to remarry again if he cannot have child from an infertile woman without divorcing her.  Although practically speaking, it causes financial strain for the husband to provide all the needs of his wives.  In the oil-rich countries of Middle East, those who can afford to equally provide all needs of the wives are the royal family.

On contrary, it brings women to lowest place when a woman failed to give birth a child.  She will be divorced and in a snap the woman lost herself as individuals as she has no more identity to the society she belongs.  The cycle of divorcing and marrying again somehow serve practice of polygamy in disguise for those monogamous people.

Men desire to have more than one partner but their economic status hinders them.  As result, they cannot perform polygamy openly but instead they practice it secretly.  In reality, those monogamy are secretly performing polygamy.  Divorce and remarrying again is somehow form of polygamy.  It is just happened that they are not in polygamous group but their frequent divorce, legal separation, annulment, concubenage and even adultery cases loud it as polygamy.  By this statement alone we conclude that polygamy is really for men and started by men.

Arguments say polygamy saves women from being slaves, prostitutes, helpless old maids and even from adultery.  But we are in the 21^st century now where equality has come up to its highest standpoint so far, women has more stand now to choose.  On contrary to the argument, it puts down women status to lowest form as sex slave and children machine which make them less a human.

Regardless of sex as who between men and women is to call the right or wrong, polygamy affects on children.  They do not learn the role or feel the love of a committed family environment.  They are likely not to know the identity of their biological parents.  They are judged harshly by outsiders looking in.  Children have difficulty with being accepted. 

Historically, polygamy is an old practice back to our ancient times but in the coming of different religions and sect, polygamy has set aside.  Until in our modern time, we realized that it is not widely and openly accepted and it is classified backward and taboo therefore labeled it illegal.  Looking at the number of countries with polygamy appeared to be comparatively small to think that it has been in this world since long time ago.   Many are not practicing social polygamy but then again may have extra-marital affairs secretly.

Personally, polygamy for me is totally unacceptable.  What is the use of marriage if we are fine of being a polygamous?  We are entering to a vow of love, faithfulness, loyalty and honesty.  There is no such thing as equality between two persons.  It will come out and will come out that there is the first, the second, the third, and so on.  And this alone invalidates the claim of vow in marriage.

But this has not just something to do with legal marriage to bring polygamy to argument but also the unfaithfulness of men who excuses men as the weaker sex to entertain flirting in any form.  With or without polygamy, whether or not it is legal to get marry again because of polygamy or enter into a relationship outside marriage, men having extra-marital affair is selfish, immature, and unacceptable.  This is really so unfair for women who as much as she can try so hard to remain honest.  Polygamy doesn’t exist only in polygamous people but it manifest to individual who are not faithful to their partner and this is what we need to address.  There are only three rules to all relationships to avoid unfaithfulness: do not cheat, do not lie and do not make promises you cannot keep.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

· Adultery (noun) – a voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than that person's current spouse or partner

· Anti-women (noun)

· Bigamy (noun) – in law: the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another

· Buddhism (noun) – a religion of eastern and central Asia growing out of the teaching of Siddhārtha Gautama that suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it by cultivating wisdom, virtue, and concentration

· Carnal (noun) –

a: relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites gluttony and other carnal activities

b: marked by sexuality carnal love

· Christianity (noun) – the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies.

· Church of the Latter Day Saints (noun) – a religion founded in the US in 1830 by Joseph Smith Jr.

· Concubinage (noun) – cohabitation of a man not legally married

· Hinduism  (noun) – the dominant religion of India that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observances and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices

· Judaism (noun) – a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions

· Monogamy (noun) – the practice of marrying only once during a lifetime

· Muslim (noun) – an adherent of Islam

· Polygamy (noun) – is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. 

· Polygamy(adj) – relating to or practicing polygamy.

· Polygyny (noun) – is a man having more wives and the

· Polyandry (noun) – is a woman having more husbands.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.merriam-webster.com/

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Source, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polygamy

The Amazon Nation

Source, https://theamazonchick.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/polygamy-around-the-world/

 Islamic City (for Quran verse “Surah an Nisaa – Women, 4:3)

Source, https://www.islamicity.org/3079/a-quranic-perspective-on-polygamy/

King James Bible:

Source, https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Polygamy/

Got Question’s  

Source, https://www.gotquestions.org/polygamy.html

APNews

Source, https://www.apnews.com/dee38fc829a84359a5bee3d25938b0b2

howstuffworks

Source, https://people.howstuffworks.com/polygamy.htm

           

http://www.islamkorea.com/english/pdf/Polygamy%20in%20Judaism%20and%20Christianity-430789.pdf

World Health Organization South-East Asia http://www.searo.who.int/entity/health_situation_trends/data/chi/sex-ratio/en/

World Atlas

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/are-there-more-men-or-women-in-the-world.html