Polygyny from and Anthropological Point of View

I have really been exploring this topic from a singular point of view and looking at the different aspects of polygenic culture independently. Because of this I don’t feel like I have fully understood the culture in terms of humanity and the overall study of humans, as we do in anthropology.

Polygenetic culture exhibits different family dynamics, gender roles and in most instances importance of religion compared to typical American monogamist culture. I am interested in looking at these distinctions from an anthropological point of view and because of this desire to broadly explore polygyny I will be generalizing about the culture though I understand that there is much variation within polygyny as in any culture.

Distinct family dynamics are identified with polygyny. In general the man takes on a more powerful role as the central provider for the family. This is also the general role of the male in a monogamist relationship but I think that in polygyny this is more expected and exaggerated. The women are the caretakers and homemakers. Though many work outside the home in addition to this traditional role, their first priorities are as wives and mothers. These familial dynamics also describe the gender roles prescribed by polygyny. In general women do not have equivalent power as men, polygyny is a patriarchal culture.

The religious aspect of Mormon polygyny, which I was trying to focus on in order to concentrate my study, is an important part of this culture. Religion is a universal theme, found in all cultures. Research has shown that religions which require believers to sacrifice more in the name of faith have more loyal followers and therefore the church is more secure. I believe that polygyny as a requirement of certain sects of Mormon religion is an example of this. By practicing polygyny followers demonstrate their loyalty to the faith and this secures the presence and power of the church which is better able to strongly continue.

Polygyny as a culture is dynamic and exhibits variety, but as a study of anthropology there are distinct characteristics of this culture, especially when it is compared to mainstream monogamist American culture which I am more familiar with. These features of polygyny are what make this culture distinct.

Children of Polygyny

Polygyny, though generally recognized as a man with multiple wives, is more accurately described as a plural family and not just plural marriage. Generally many children are raised in this culture and I think that their presence tends to be over looked. When I originally stated my opinions on polygyny, from a completely uneducated subjective point of view, I was quick to identify negative aspects of this culture when concerning children. I thought that meaningful loving relationships would be difficult to form in these large families, and that children - especially young girls - were not treated properly, but I am now interested in looking at the possible positive aspects of raising a child in this culture as well as being a child of polygyny.

I have heard media accounts of twelve year old girls marrying sixty year old men and wide spread abuse in Mormon fundamentalist groups, but I can’t believe that this is all true. I am not denying that in some instances these horrible practices do occur, but they also take place in mainstream monogamist American culture. I have thought of positive qualities of polygenic families and some of these benefits can’t be found in a monogamist family, at least not in the same respect.

Children of modern polygyny are provided with a large diverse support system consisting of many female and male role models. This system also provides support for the parents in terms of emotional as well as financial assistance. Typical large family size requires additional help from children, but it also allows children to work together and care for one another. I think that children that grow up in polygyny are raised with a strong sense of culture and intense faith and religious beliefs important to this culture. This intern provides them with a strong sense of self and purpose.

I am not denying that there aren’t negative aspects to raising a child in a polygenic family; I am simply stating that it is much too easy to say that monogamy is right and polygyny is wrong and paint the issue black and white. There are plenty of familial problems that can be found in monogamist families. Just because I am unfamiliar with this type of child hood does not automatically make it immoral. I would be extremely interested in learning more about childhood in polygenic culture, so far my thoughts have been prompted from research books and articles; I have no knowledge of the personally experience.

Modern Polygyny in the Media

I have never really been one to watch an excessive amount of television, so it’s not surprising that I have never heard of the popular HBO series BIG LOVE. This show explores the life of a modern day polygenic family in Utah. The husband/ father – Bill Hendrickson – is married to three women and has seven children. The show explores issues of the average American middle class family, but from an atypical kind of point of view.

Personally I think that it portrays polygyny in a very favorable light. The wives are close friends and have an interestingly “normal” relationship with their shared husband. At this point my only experience of this show is through clips posted on the HBO website, but hopefully I will be able to explore this presentation of the modern polygenic family to a greater extent as I watch the series.

I am interested in how this show has changed society’s view of polygyny, from all perspectives. Just watching the short clips taken from the series I find that I can accept the culture further, but more than that – I am better able to see it in a positive light. Something about seeing this culture portrayed by mainstream American media makes it more acceptable and even somewhat “normal”.



http://www.hbo.com/biglove/index.html

The Relationship of Sisterwives

As I continued my research I came across Women of Principle: Female Networking in Contemporary Mormon Polygyny, the work of Janet Bennion. Bennion’s book, “is a study of women who convert to the Apostolic United Brethren (the “Allreds”), a highly rigid, patriarchal Mormon polygynous community in the Intermountain West” (Bennion, 1998). Bennion performed field work within this community and discovered much about the culture of polygyny.

One aspect of polygenic culture that I found particularly interesting was the relationship shared by sisterwives. Women admitted to feeling jealous of their new sister-wives at times and described how difficult polygyny could be but they reaffirm their feelings of agreement with the practice of polygyny. Plural wives viewed polygyny as positive and one of the benefits they described was the strong important relationships between sisterwives. “The significance of kinship among sisterwives is that women who live near female relations reinforce each other and protect each other’s interests, whether emotional, economic, or religious” (Bennion, 1998, pg. 91). The women see these relationships as unique and important. One woman compared polygenic and monogamous women and their relationships in a very interesting light:

In monogamy you are tied to a husband for economic sustenance, entertainment, conversation, comradeship, and emotional stimulation. But a polygynous wife is free and independent by necessity and makes her ties with other women. When a monogamous wife doesn’t have him [the husband] around, and with no other sisterwives around, she is helpless. Where does she get the friendship, the moral support? A polygynist wife has it all” (Bennion, 1998, pg. 96)

I have never thought of polygyny in this way; the relationship of sisterwives is a vital part of polygenic culture and is very unique compared to female relationships within monogamist culture. This is a type or relationship/bond that I will never experience. I have always thought of the negative, demeaning, aspects of polygyny, but I truly believe that sisterwife relationships are an important positive part of polygyny. This relationship is something that these women do in order to make polygyny work.


Bennion, Janet. Women of principle [electronic resource] : female networking in contemporary Mormon polygyny. New York, NY: Oxford UP, 1998.

The Merits of Polygyny: An Introduction

With this blog I hope to explore the possible merits of polygyny. This statement may be misleading because it implies that all subsequent entries will discus the virtues of polygyny. On the contrary this opening statement refers to the sought after goal of my blog. While writing today no clear, realistic merits of polygyny easily come to mind. This does not mean that I am vehemently against this cultural practice. I like to think that I am a fairly understanding, accepting person, but I can’t currently arrive upon a solitary positive component of polygyny, from my personal perspective.

I am planning to specifically explore the culture of polygyny in the United States as practiced by groups within the Mormon religion. I am writing from my perspective, that of a young woman with strong, defined opinions. I want to start with my own personal views and opinions, which will be completely subjective, before I begin to research and understand this culture. I would like to have a sound knowledge of its history and different components as a foundation to build on. From there I hope to have more knowledge of polygyny and hopefully will be able to discuss how my original views have been affected. Throughout this I would also like to incorporate information from people who have first hand experience of polygyny.

I hope to reach a point in this study where I can honestly state that I understand polygyny not just from the position of a tolerant individual viewing from afar, but as someone who has truly explored this culture. I think as I discover more about this culture I will question my own beliefs and why they are the way they are. While I may never completely agree with nor partake in this practice, I hope to be able to appreciate polygyny as a culture and understand and appreciate its inherent logic.