What exactly Is Wrong with Polygamy anyway?

[KevinSim]

On this forum every once in a while someone will mention polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as if that's a guaranteed way of scoring points against that church. I personally have no desire whatsoever to be married to more women than just my one wife, but if three adults (of any gender combination) want to join into a marriage relationship, why should anyone else care? I heard one source say polygamy is bad because it exploits women. Why is it that a man marrying two women means he's exploiting women, but another man marrying just one woman means he is not exploiting women?

[Res Ipsa]

Nothing, in theory. In practice, look at the FLDS. If it’s just men marrying multiple women, the result is both discarding young men and marrying off younger and younger girls.

On the other hand, I have several friends who have had or are in polyamorous relationships. I don’t think I’m cut out for that, but I don’t think it is inherently harmful.

Out of the context of a top down authoritarian power structure, I’m fine with it.

[Moksha]

There is a bit of irony about the Church holding itself out as a staunch advocate for man-woman marriage when they still hold to the concept of polygamy.

[Rivendale]

The origins of polygamy in Mormonism isn't pretty. Positions of power and trust were used to coerce under age women into the system. Most people using this as a wedge against Mormonism tend to rhetorically ask why a god would condone this.

[drumdude]

It started as a dirty nasty little affair with Joseph and an underage housemaid. It continued with sham weddings in front of Emma.

It continues on today in that same tradition, abusing FLDS children in the celestial room of fundamentalist Mormon temples.

What’s so bad about polygamy?

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

On this forum every once in a while someone will mention polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as if that's a guaranteed way of scoring points against that church. I personally have no desire whatsoever to be married to more women than just my one wife, but if three adults (of any gender combination) want to join into a marriage relationship, why should anyone else care? I heard one source say polygamy is bad because it exploits women. Why is it that a man marrying two women means he's exploiting women, but another man marrying just one woman means he is not exploiting women?

Have you thought about the commoditization of women, the psychological and emotional stresses of divided intimacy and resources, and the inevitable problems of excess males unattached from familial devotion? What would be your solution for the downsides of polygyny?

- Doc

[malkie]

On this forum every once in a while someone will mention polygamy in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as if that's a guaranteed way of scoring points against that church. I personally have no desire whatsoever to be married to more women than just my one wife, but if three adults (of any gender combination) want to join into a marriage relationship, why should anyone else care? I heard one source say polygamy is bad because it exploits women. Why is it that a man marrying two women means he's exploiting women, but another man marrying just one woman means he is not exploiting women?

Have you thought about the commoditization of women, the psychological and emotional stresses of divided intimacy and resources, and the inevitable problems of excess males unattached from familial devotion? What would be your solution for the downsides of polygyny?

- Doc

And not just unattached - in the case of FLDS, apparently forcibly detached.

[Kishkumen]

Nothing, in theory. In practice, look at the FLDS. If it’s just men marrying multiple women, the result is both discarding young men and marrying off younger and younger girls.

On the other hand, I have several friends who have had or are in polyamorous relationships. I don’t think I’m cut out for that, but I don’t think it is inherently harmful.

Out of the context of a top down authoritarian power structure, I’m fine with it.

Exactly. It is one thing to say that consenting adults should be able to do as they please, but that is a different question than asking whether the organization to which you have pledged your obedience should hypothetically be able to reorder your marital choices according to its changing priorities, especially in ways that aggravate inequalities between the genders.

[Kishkumen]

And not just unattached - in the case of FLDS, apparently forcibly detached.

Yeah, FLDS polygamy is all kinds of screwed up. Hard pass. Joseph Smith polygamy was similarly bad. Hard pass.

[Doctor CamNC4Me]

KS,

Why do you suppose men within a certain faith vector are promised 72 virgins after death?