Poly
- 2. What? Greek and Latin Bases: Poly=many
- 3. Why? POLYGYNY Polygyny can be traced back to animals and humans since the beginning of recorded time. There are many different types of polygyny practiced for several reasons. Some reasons are stated for the Polygynous sub-cultures below. *Please note that I have given the more common reasons for each practice but that there are many other reasons why people practice their type of polygyny. POLYGAMY Polygamy is commonly seen in Mormon/LDS communities for religious purpose. In 1831, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church revealed that he had been sent a message from God telling him that he must practice polygamy. Muslims also practice polygamy for religious reasons. POLYANDRY Polyandry is usually associated with economical, and agricultural purposes. Some anthropologists also propose that because of a shortage of females, polyandry allowed more men to get married. POLYAMORY Polyamory does not have a religious, economical or cultural purpose. People who practice polyamory do so under the belief that monogamy does not work for all and that one can have a healthy relationship with fidelity between partners even with more than one partner. This form of poly relationship is practiced using our modern ideas of romance.
- 4. Where? Out of 1231 societies noted, 186 are monogamous, 453 have occasional polygyny, 588 have more frequent polygyny, and 4 have polyandry. -Ethnographic Atlas Codebook by George P. Murdock Although it has been and is practiced everywhere, these “poly” relationships are most commonly recognized and found in Africa, Asia, and within several religious communities around the world.
- 5. Who? All kinds of people.
- 6. Controversy Reasons why people are pro-poly *There are plenty of success stories of people from multiple marriages and poly relationships *People should have the right to go about their relationships however they want to, so long as it doesn’t harm anybody else *A multiple marriage, assuming that it holds modern gender equality values, may aid in more efficient house work and child care since there can always be someone home to take care of things *More support in a relationship *The hope that because there was such gender inequality found in monogamous relationships in the past, and even found in present day as well that polygynous relationships can and will evolve to increasingly incorporate equality too *The awareness that different dynamics work for different people Reasons why people are anti-poly *The belief that marriage should only be between one man and one woman *The belief that poly relationships are inherently abusive *In the case of multiple marriage, people could use this right to abuse immigration laws *”It is morally wrong” *The fear that jealousy is a packaged deal with a multiple relationship *The inability to understand the difference between cheating and polygyny *Forms of polygyny that are practiced out of religious, cultural or financial reasons are found to have gender inequality. Women are viewed as inferior or objects to be owned. *The fear that a polygamist man will marry an under aged girl *The fear of a society with no rules or boundaries *It is a cult
- 7. News In April, a 16 year old girl made an abuse complaint and the state of Texas performed a raid at a polygamist compound . They took 400 children into custody. They found several cases of arranged marriage with teen girls with older men. 133 women left the compound with the children voluntarily. Many came forward about the mistreatment in the compound. This became the top story. It was the first time many people have heard about polygamists. The event set a their opinions about this practice. Many have claimed that the press generalized and only gave one side of the story. It has forced polygamists not involved in under aged marriage and abuse to speak out that although this is the reality of some polygamist compounds, it is not the reality for all.
- 8. Fighting Back The video is Jessica at a Polygamy Rights Rally . She is the daughter of a polygamists and is speaking out against discrimination towards her family. After the raids and the interventions, is it right to take away the rights of all polygamist families just because some polygamist families have broken the law? *please click on the video above for it to begin. If you still cannot play it, follow this link to view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm57gOa6wYA
- 9. Speaking Out Sister-Wives speaking out: “ Jealousy doesn't matter when it comes to a situation where he has committed to that woman also. The woman who has been her husband's sexual partner has breakfast with her the next morning, she knows where her husband has been, she knows the children that come from this union, she loves the children; she loves that woman." "I would like to say I really do love the way I live, And I feel very proud, very honored to know each and every member within my household. I want to live this way for the rest of my life and for the rest of eternity.“ "I don't want to have to dote on a guy every night. I don't want to make sure that he has a meal every night. Let somebody else do it that likes it," Husbands speaking out: "I think you're confusing me with Mr. Hefner down in Los Angeles, There are much cheaper ways to have sex than to maintain a plural household."
- 10. Education Esther Stanford is a very intelligent woman who educates us about the origin of African polygamy as well as its benefits. She really breaks this concept down into understandable words which is important when you don’t know anything about polygyny. *please click on the video above for it to begin. If you still cannot play it, follow this link to view the video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC7-Fm7qxjA
- 11. Television The HBO drama, Big Love, is about a Mormon polygamist man and his three wives in Salt Lake City. This show portrays polygamy in a very modern and relatable light while still trying to show the struggles of politics and religion that polygamist families must deal with. Many polygamists say it was a fair and accurate portrayal of their families but insisted there was some exaggeration in the sex life of the characters. Big Love was a success. So much so, that it has changed many peoples views on Polygamy and also caused many people to ask the question: Would a poly relationship work for me ?
- 12. Internet The internet has hundreds of chats, forums and support groups for polygamous and polyamorous people. There are also many dating sites for families to find additional sister wives and for committed couples to find that extra person to join their relationship. The internet has become a perfect way to unite people who practice these types of relationships who wouldn’t otherwise find each other in their own cities which don’t cater to them. It has also helped in educating people who have been misinformed about poly relationships. This has caused a shift in these relationships because now they no longer have to hide- at least not on the internet. Some groups, like Poly-NYC, proudly hold an event every year in Central Park and the number of attendees has been growing.
- 13. Music Aliaune Thiam, better known as the rapper Akon , was quoted saying: " I'm a polygamist. I can afford to have as many wives as I can afford to have. All Africans believe in it. My dad has four wives.“ Although he had been very open about his polygamy in the beginning of his career, his record label has forced him away from speaking about the matter anymore and his statements have been changed to say that he has kids from 3 different women instead of him having 3 wives. "Unfortunately, this is the world we live in, people do judge you by your beliefs and how you think. It's a free country, but it's really not free." Akon is from Senegal, which has the highest polygamy rate in West Africa. Almost 50% of all marriages in Senegal are polygamous.
- 14. Another “out” celeb Tilda Swinton is an actress that has been very open about her polyamorist “lovestyle”. She has a relationship with John Byrne and her lover Sandro Kopp. The two men are close friends and consent to their relationship with Tilda. John Byrne is also involved with another woman who has met Tilda and their children. Byrne said: “It’s all very relaxed and amicable. We have not hidden away and Jeanine is very much part of my life. Tilda knows all about it and is more than happy with the situation. Tilda has Sandro and the arrangement works very well.”
- 15. The Future of Poly Relationships Will our society ever become tolerant of Poly relationships and marriages? Will polygamous families be able to separate themselves for compound practices that jeopardize their place in society? Will the polyamorous movement pave the way for society to understand these relationship variants because of their modern approach? I think so. Once a topic hits the media there is no way to erase it from the consciousness of its viewers. There may be a common opposition to these different lifestyles/lovestyles but it seems that this is the kind of reaction we take when we are not used to something as a society. I believe in a few years we will be able to form better opinions away from sensationalist news and restricting ideals and take a moment to understand that taking away human rights from people just because they do not live like we do is and always will be wrong. I believe that someday our society will be more interested in uniting and finding beauty in our differences rather than feeling threatened.
- 16. Resources