The Human Beast

Why we do what we do.

Evolutionary psychologist Nigel Barber is the author of Why Parents Matter, The Science of Romance, among other books. See full bio

February 19, 2009, Evolutionary Psychology

Comments on "The wide world of polygamy: We hate it, others love it"

The wide world of polygamy: We hate it, others love it

By Nigel Barber, Ph.D. on February 19, 2009 in The Human Beast

Polygamy is so deeply detested in our society that Mormons like Mit Romney face an uphill task in getting elected even though the Mormons abandoned multiple marriage over a century ago (breakaway sects notwithstanding). Writing in defense of an anti-polygamy statute, in 1878, the U.S. supreme court noted that "Polygamy has always been odious among the northern and western nations of Europe..." They meant that it was not civilized. Why is our part of the world so hostile to polygamy? Read More

double standard

Submitted by pastfirst on February 22, 2009 - 12:04am.

Poligamy may exist in countries where there are not enough males to go around, but what about the opposite problem.
When there are not enough females, is it acceptable for the female to have multiple husbands?
I'm not an authority by any means, but I've never heard of multiple husbands.
I suppose it's a male world! Men decide and women obey.

spare me pastfirst. go take

Submitted by Anonymous on February 23, 2009 - 8:42pm.

spare me pastfirst. go take an ethology course.

Polygamy in America

Submitted by Anabellah on April 18, 2009 - 9:20pm.

I am an American female living polygamy in America. I formed a support group, www.polygamy411, so women and men that live polygamy could have a place to go to talk about their feelings, thoughts, and experiences.

Sometime people living polygamy can feel very alone and isolated. Many suffer from anxiety and depression associated with living a lifestyle that is not the norm.

www.polygamy411 is here to make a differnce. All are welcome to visit.

Ana

Double Standard

Submitted by Anabellah on April 27, 2009 - 6:45pm.

I think women having more than one wife occurred in some remote places in the world ancient times ago, according to what I remember learning, probably in an anthropology course in college.

What woman do you know that wants more than one husband? Women might have more than one boyfriend when she feels like being with him-but really...more than one husband?

Many women don't even want to have sex with just one husband very often after they get married and life gets routine. There aren't a whole lot of women out there wanting men to jump up and down on them all the time, unless she's a nymphomaniac; I'm assuming. Many men have huge sexual appetites.

How would anyone know who the biological father of the child is? What? The wife and two husbands would have to get DNA testing every time she gets pregnant.

That more than one husband stuff, just doesn't work. That's why you're not hearing anything about it happening. I apologize if I offended anyone. I just don't think there's anyone out there in modern times, today, practicing it to offend. I can't even remember off the top of my head what that practice is called.