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Resources are at a premium today. Partly because of overpopulation. Which the Catholic Church is not helping. I'll have to study the Native American marriages more. To be honest, its not something I've spent a lot of time on. It's kind of bewildering once a person recognizes the many different forms of relationships that exist.
posted by
WhiteJedi
on August 1, 2005 at 10:54 AM
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WhiteJedi -- I fully agree with everything you have said except the last
sentence. There is no confusion here between polygamy and group marriage. Group marriage suggests multiple members of both sexes, for example: 2 men 3 women. Historically and currently group marriage is obscure in terms of the number of cutlures that have and are practising it. Any marriage that is structured around one member and has multiple members of the other gender falls into the two definitions I have chosen in polygamy and polyandry. I did not use the associated term of bygamy for a reason as it is primarly a legal term describing the unlawful action of practicing polygamy. It may be inevitable that we re-examine our family structure. Just 50 years ago a single breadwinner in a household was the norm. Now it is unusual to have only one wage coming into a household. As the demand for resources increases and we are forced to shuffle the cards yet again, 2 incomes may not be enough.
posted by
gomedome
on July 31, 2005 at 7:42 AM
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When has CNN ever showed a case of polygamy that was positive? Yet there are positive examples out there. There was one guy that had six wives. However, he only chose the first wife. The women were actively promoting it. Polygamy has some very positive accepts. First, female companionship. Women need to have other women around. There are things that a women will never feel comfortable saying to her husband. Second, childbirth. Having more than one wife in the group means lowering the number of kids born. Think about it. One woman isn't expected to have five kids. In fact, she can have no children if that's her wish. Third, resources. How many career minded women would kill to have another women in the house that can take care of the kids? There is more freedom for the women. If one of them wants to have a career she can. If one of them wants to be a homemaker she can. It makes more sense. I've never seen an form of male domination among the Native Americans. I think perhaps you are confusing polygamy with group marriage.
posted by
WhiteJedi
on July 31, 2005 at 7:16 AM
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I've just posted a love story in Fiction.I hope some of you are going to read it
posted by
ariel70
on July 30, 2005 at 1:40 PM
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ariel, my original thought was a warm beach island...gome stuck me in
a freezer...perhaps I should just be happy where I am...okay, it's settled. One man for Ariala. Gome, thanks for setting me straight. I'll get out of your comment section now...
posted by
Ariala
on July 30, 2005 at 1:38 PM
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ari
They do tend to be somewhat cold in bed tho' Not that I've ever tried it. Although, some of my best friends are snow men. And women of course
posted by
ariel70
on July 30, 2005 at 1:34 PM
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ariel, ah yes, snowmen...I'm not picky
posted by
Ariala
on July 30, 2005 at 1:30 PM
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ari
What about snowmen?
posted by
ariel70
on July 30, 2005 at 1:23 PM
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I hate snow, but love men more...Packing snowshoes..an island with more
men than women? What am I still doing in the middle of the U.S.?
Will report back in 6 weeks. 
posted by
Ariala
on July 30, 2005 at 1:21 PM
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Ariala -- an island may be a tough request unless you consider the
Kamchatka peninsula an island. Polyandry is in practice there simply because there aren't enough women crazy enough to live there compared to the male populace. Get your snowshoes out.
posted by
gomedome
on July 30, 2005 at 1:16 PM
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Just let me know which island allows women a harem of men. Thanks.
posted by
Ariala
on July 30, 2005 at 1:05 PM
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Hemlocker -- thank you --- I have never actually witnessed or heard of
a case of polygamy in North America that was anything more than the situation you describe of some form of male domination. It stands to reason however as it is a practice outside of our current laws that can only be attempted in isolation. Isolation that would be either geographical or communal in nature and involve some from of controlling or manipulating female involvement. This of course is criminal activity but what if female involvement was voluntary and free of outside influence? It becomes an entirely different kettle of fish.
posted by
gomedome
on July 30, 2005 at 1:01 PM
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another enjoyable
and educational gomedome post. I have seen some examples of polygamy which are just a male exploitation of low esteem, uneducated and brainwashed young women. This a form of criminality to me, though the women--more acurately, girls--seemed perfectly adapted to and accepting of their status. A harem of mature women who are in it for no reasons having anything to do with religion, makes more sense to me. We do find the Indian thing is kind of appalling, if only because of the seeming domination of the male, and the female being expected to do something that may appall her too, but which her culture requires. All this suff has to do with culture, different types of societies, legalistic involvements. It does make one think. Obviously being human does not necessarily mean we all have things in common. But I don't know. Hemlocker
posted by
Hemlocker
on July 30, 2005 at 11:54 AM
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