Decriminalization of Polygamy...

[_subgenius]

...in Utah, is this a correct recent legislation? And what are the larger implications?

#ustoo

[_ajax18]

Perhaps it will bring some of the children from 2nd and 3rd wives out of the shadows and let them have equal claim on their father's support and inheritance.

I'm not sure what good it does to put polygamous men and women in jail. If adultery is legal how can you really make polygamy criminal? I see serial monogamy and a generational culture of welfare and unwed motherhood as a bigger problem for the taxpayer.

When a man is in jail with 33 children from 10 different women that's a problem whether it's due to polygamy or serial monogamy.

[_moksha]

And what are the larger implications?

#ustoo

More child brides and abandoned boys.

[_ajax18]

More child brides and abandoned boys.

Nope. Child brides would still be illegal under statutory rape laws. But yeah, there's only space for a few men in any polygamous community.

Have you ever watched Big Love or Sister Wives?

[_Gunnar]

If polygamy is to be decriminalized or made legal at all, it must apply to all variations of polygamy, including polyandry, polygyny and other forms of group marriage. Otherwise, it would be unfairly discriminatory and, I think, unconstitutional. If only polygyny is allowed, and becomes common, it will result in a large population of unmarried men with little or no prospect of ever being legally married. I think that widespread polygamy of any type is potentially problematic, but the large surplus of desperate, unmarried adult males that would result from permitting widespread polygyny alone could not fail to be extremely problematic and even dangerous to society.

[_subgenius]

And what are the larger implications?

#ustoo

More child brides and abandoned boys.

umlikely, since decriminalization begets legal regulation and judicial intrusion.

But your cynicism, as usual, is soooo refreshing. Its like being in a 1990s comedy club all over again.

[_ajax18]

I think no fault divorce is more damaging to children than polygamy. More often than not monogamous marriages end in divorce in America today. If family law were really about the best interests of the child, we wouldn't permit no fault divorce.

[_Some Schmo]

While I would never take more than one wife, I don't really see why polygamy should be illegal. We don't criminalize other forms of stupidity. Why this one? If you decide to forego genuine intimacy in your life, why should that be illegal?

[_Gunnar]

While I would never take more than one wife, I don't really see why polygamy should be illegal. We don't criminalize other forms of stupidity. Why this one? If you decide to forego genuine intimacy in your life, why should that be illegal?

Once again you and I seem to be in agreement. One of the biggest misgivings I have about polygamy is, according to reputable studies, the higher prevalence of child abuse in polygamous relationships and communities, particularly sexual, even incestuous abuse. Warren Jeffs is a particularly egregious example.

[_Some Schmo]

Once again you and I seem to be in agreement. One of the biggest misgivings I have about polygamy is, according to reputable studies, the higher prevalence of child abuse in polygamous relationships and communities, particularly sexual, even incestuous abuse. Warren Jeffs is a particularly egregious example.

I wasn't aware of that, but it doesn't surprise me. I suspect it happens in those kinds of communities more because you have to be a little off to begin with to be the type of people who would be into group marriages. I don't think it's the specific arrangements as much as the players' personalities.