Decriminalization of Polygamy...

[_DoubtingThomas]

. Why this one? If you decide to forego genuine intimacy in your life, why should that be illegal?

Two reasons:
1. The New Testament (1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:12 and Titus 1:6) states that church leaders should be the "husband of one wife."

2. Feminists think it is immoral and it is something that the vast majority of women will never want. It is just too disgusting to be legal. Only pigs want polygamy or polyamory according to feminists. It is for the same reason that prostitution is 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.

Of course abuse is more common in religious cults. But, do you have studies showing that abuse is more common in secular polyamorous relationships?

And do you believe that religious cults should be illegal?

[_Gunnar]

Of course abuse is more common in religious cults. But, do you have studies showing that abuse is more common in secular polyamorous relationships?

Yes, it is demonstrably true that abuse, including sexual abuse, is more common in cults of all kinds, especially religious ones. I am not aware of any studies showing that it is more common in secular polyamorous relationships, but I have not done any kind of deep research on that. It would not surprise me to find, however, that it is more common even in secular polyamorous relationships.

And do you believe that religious cults should be illegal?

Short of making all religious organizations in general illegal, I don't see how we could make all religious cults illegal. What religion cannot be perceived as a cult by its bitterest opponents or apostates? Determining whether or not to outlaw cults has to be done on a case per case basis, depending on how seriously and demonstrably they are abusive or endorse or commit criminal acts.

[_Res Ipsa]

DT, there is not a uniform view of polygamy or polyamory among feminists. I took a quick peek for studies showing more abuse in polygamous relationships, but didn’t see any.

[_subgenius]

While the legal status of polygamy can have political and cultural goals of varying degrees, it seems to have a more practical challenge within the bounds of property rights. Take for example the "married filing jointly" deduction. Or how estates might be distributed among heirs without probate, etc. How these aspects are determined will undoubtedly be influenced by and influential on the forementioned goals.

[_Themis]

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.

How is not allowing people to get divorced better for children? I suspect making people stay married is not going to improve children's environments, nor does it make them stay living together. Many in the past, when it was not allowed, moved onto new relationships even though they could not get a divorce. Allowing divorce is a positive thing as it allows people freedom to make their own decisions and improve their, and by extension, their children's environment. The problem is not no fault divorces in poor environments for children.

[_moksha]

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.

Hard to avoid these consequences in a closed-loop system. Polygamy guys will still show up at LDS singles events cruising for extra brides, but they will end up with their nieces.

[_subgenius]

... How is not allowing people to get divorced better for children? I suspect ....

while suspicion is admirable, its hardly good science amiright? You should probably research the "how" among the countless scientific studies that support the fact that married parents are better for kids health. Or you could hem/haw an argument to where you don't have to admit your wrong with your "suspicions".

[_canpakes]

... How is not allowing people to get divorced better for children? I suspect ....

while suspicion is admirable, its hardly good science amiright? You should probably research the "how" among the countless scientific studies that support the fact that married parents are better for kids health..

You should probably research the difference between allowing for the possibility of divorce, and the question of if a particular divorce is beneficial or not to any children involved, since the former is what Themis is referring to.

But, I suppose you could also run with your misinterpretation, and post some of those countless scientific studies that conclude that it's always better for parents to remain married, for all circumstances.

[_ajax18]

How is not allowing people to get divorced better for children? I suspect making people stay married is not going to improve children's environments, nor does it make them stay living together. Many in the past, when it was not allowed, moved onto new relationships even though they could not get a divorce. Allowing divorce is a positive thing as it allows people freedom to make their own decisions and improve their, and by extension, their children's environment. The problem is not no fault divorces in poor environments for children.

How often do you think step parents provide better care than the biological parent?

[_Gunnar]

How often do you think step parents provide better care than the biological parent?

One can't reasonably deny that the children in a marriage would be better off if their parents remain in a loving, lasting relationship and commit themselves to work together to work out serious problems and disagreements between them whenever they occur. It is probably true that a majority of divorces could be avoided if both parents would accept responsibility for their own flaws, and work at minimizing them, while striving to remember and bring out the best qualities of the other that attracted them to each other in the first place. There are, however, situations when conditions within a marriage deteriorate so badly that divorce is the only viable solution. In such situations, the children would definitely be better off with a single parent or with a loving step parent.

I hope you know that there really are numerous cases where step parents provide as good or better loving care for step children than they ever experienced from their biological parents. Biological parents can be every bit as abusive and indifferent to their own children as the worst step parents.