by Christa Isbell

Created on: April 23, 2008

No, polygamy should never be taken into the consideration of being legalized. Polygamy is the practice of being in a marriage simultaneously with more than one spouse, and is in fact common within certain cultures and specific religions. Although some may view this as an ordinary way of life, we must take into consideration that we must act on behalf of our American culture. Marriage is the institution between two individuals. If we were to alter the American legal system simply to benefit a male that feels he needs more than one wife, then where will our country be left?

Polygamy doesn't offer a legitimate family structure, and is in no way beneficial to the wives or children. Often times, these polygamous families are leading to underage marriage, arranged marriages, and inbreeding. Inbreeding is exposing our nation to dangers of genetic diseases and birth defects. Why would we want to subject our children to a lifetime of misery for our own selfish motives?

Legalizing polygamy would simply be supporting the humiliation of these women and children that we would be stripping of their own self-respect. These men are beating, raping, and controlling these women, and we are allowing them to convince us that this is a healthy way of life. If more than one relationship is what your heart desires, then marriage isn't the right decision for you. As of now, it is difficult for Americans to keep a content relationship with only one other person. When you begin involving other women in the relationship, what is anyone really going to gain from it?

A woman in a polygamous relationship is meant only to serve the needs of her husband. She's forced to stay home, take care of her children, and tend to anything her husband may request of her. After all the years of women fighting for their rights, they should not have to be subjected to this degrading act of violence and abuse. The men teach' these women to be submissive, insecure, and to have no minds of their own.

Although these women are the obvious victims, we need to take into consideration the way that the children feel. Young girls at the age of fourteen have no real idea of love, and they only know what the elders of their community have led them to believe. How can we expect them to marry and sexually serve these adult men, when they have yet to experience any real form of reality?

By legalizing polygamy, we're only limiting our country of it's true expectations of creating an equal place for us to live in harmony.

Learn more about this author, Christa Isbell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.