What Is Polygamy?

When you think of marriage, you most likely think of a union between two partners. However, there are other types of marriages like polygamy. Polygamy is a type of relationship that typically involves a person marrying more than one partner. When a woman marries more than one man, it’s called polyandry. Polygamy is the opposite of monogamy, where one person marries one spouse.

Polygamy involves at least three individuals (a person married to two different spouses), but there is no limit to how many spouses a person in this type of relationship may have. However, polygamy is either illegal or discouraged in most regions. In some cases, polygamy isn’t explicitly unlawful. However, bigamy is. Bigamy occurs when a person who’s married marries another person who does not know their partner is already married.

This article discusses the history of polygamy, the types of polygamy, and how people practice it. It also discusses the impact and pitfalls of this kind of relationship arrangement.

History of Polygamy 

Interestingly, monogamy is a relatively recent concept in human history. Before the formation of urban communities we recognize today, people were primarily polygamous.

While polygamy has a somewhat checkered history in recent times, many people voluntarily opted for a polygamous relationship instead of a monogamous relationship centuries ago.

In the U.S., polygamy is often associated with the LDS ("Mormon") church. In 1852, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) made the practice of men having multiple wives (referred to as "plural marriage") part of their official church doctrine.

In 1882, the Edmunds Act officially made the practice illegal in the U.S.; in 1890, Wilford Woodruff, the then-prophet of the LDS Church, announced that the church was officially abandoning the practice. While illegal in the U.S., polygamy is still practiced by fundamentalist Mormon groups, many of which live in the Western United States.

Types of Polygamy 

There are generally three forms of polygamy: polygyny, polyandry, and group marriage.

Polygyny 

Polygyny is the specific form of polygamy where a man marries multiple wives. This term is most commonly used interchangeably with polygamy because it’s the most common form of the concept. 

Polyandry 

Polyandry is a less common form of polygamy. With polyandry, you find a woman marrying multiple men. 

Group Marriage 

Group marriage, as the term implies, is when several men and women marry each other. This is a rarer form of polygamy.

While some people might consider the above as types of polygamy, others might recognize them as concepts of their own. And in some instances, the terms are used interchangeably.

The Practice of Polygamy 

Since polygamy is illegal in many countries, people who wish to practice polygamy opt-out of getting married in a traditional setting and choose a casual arrangement.

Polyamory

Polygamy is often confused with polyamory, which is a more acceptable and legal way to be in a relationship with multiple partners in the world today.

For a healthy polyamorous relationship to work, all partners need to be open and honest with each other. 

In parts of the Middle East and Asia, polygamy is legal. In many parts of Africa, it’s not only permitted but widely practiced, especially in West Africa. Regions in West Africa that are predominantly Muslim embrace polygamy. According to Islamic doctrine, a man is allowed to have up to four wives.

Polygamous and polyandrous relationships can be complicated to navigate, certainly more than the more traditional monogamous relationships. So, if you are considering a polygamous relationship in a region where it's legal or a polyamorous relationship in areas where it's illegal to marry multiple spouses, there are things to contemplate to ensure you remain in a healthy and open relationship.

Here are some things to consider: 

• Weigh the pros and cons with potential partners before entering a polygamous or polyamorous relationship. Every type of relationship has its advantages and disadvantages, but the deciding factor is what makes you and your partners happy.
• Practice a culture of open communication. Open communication is an essential ingredient in any healthy relationship, whether monogamous or polygamous. But, it's vital in a polygamous relationship.
• Ask yourself if this type of relationship is right for you. Ask yourself how you feel about committing to multiple people and what this will mean for any other aspects of your life. 

Impact of Polygamy 

Over the years, the impact of polygamy on society has been argued about. The pros and cons are often debated, and a case can be made for either one.

Some Believe That Polygamy Violates Women's Rights

According to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, polygamy violates the dignity of women and should be abolished in whatever regions they currently exist. They believe that polygamy infringes upon women's free will.

You often find that in areas where polygamy is predominant, women are coerced into marrying men they have no desire to marry. Laws that allow polygamy are also typically skewed in favor of men. For instance, with Sharia Law practiced in some parts of West Africa, men can take on multiple wives while women can't.

Some Believe That Believe Polygamy Benefits Children

On the other hand, people might argue that polygamy allows for the creation of larger family units. A small 2015 study conducted in Tanzania found that polygamy could result in greater health and wealth for women and children in polygamous families.

Potential Pitfalls of Polygamy 

One of the potential pitfalls of polygamy is the adverse effects it tends to have on women. In most polygamous relationships, there's a power imbalance between the men and women in the relationship. Especially because polygyny, where one man has multiple wives, is the more common concept.

In a 2013 study into the impact of polygamy on women’s health, researchers found that women in polygynous relationships are more likely to have mental health issues than women in monogamous relationships. They reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and decreased life and marital satisfaction.

Research also suggests polygamy is associated with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and mothers in polygamous families demonstrate negative emotions, including loneliness, despair, anger, powerlessness, and sadness.

Some research also shows that children born into polygamous situations can be adversely affected. They believe that polygamous marriages create stressful situations for children that could disrupt their development.

Other researchers argue that polygamous marriages provide more role models for children who can positively affect their development. According to them, polygamous relationships offer more warmth and affection for children than monogamous relationships do.