Two Adverse Reports On Polygamy
Isn’t it obvious that polygamy is not good or desirable? Well, those who need convincing can turn to two recent reports. One, a survey of polygamous families by Sisters In Islam, reveals that the children and the first wives in polygamous marriages do not support such marriages. The other, a research paper prepared by Canadian scholar Joseph Henrich for British Columbia’s Supreme Court, finds that polygamy is associated with, among other things, increased crime, prostitution, antisocial behavior, greater inequality between men and women, and less parental involvement in children.
Polygamy In Islam
Islam allows a man to have up to four wives at any one time, provided certain conditions are fulfilled—-eg, that the existing wives should agree to it, and that the man can treat all the wives equally. According to Nik Noriani Nik Badli Shah,a Sisters In Islam consultant and member, most Muslim men think that polygamy is a God-given right conferred upon them, “whereas polygamy is really a pre-Islamic institution which was drastically reformed and restricted by the Qur’an which points the way towards monogamy”. In fact the Qu’ran says (in Surah al-Nisa 4:3) that “If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them) then only one…that will be more suitable to prevent you from doing injustice”. This verse was promulgated after the battle of Uhud, when the Muslim community was left with many widows and orphans.
The cavalier attitude that some Muslim men take towards polygamy is exemplified by the case in May this year, when Bung Mokhtar Radin, a Malaysian member of parliament no less was sentenced to a month’s jail for taking a second wife without first obtaining the permission of the Shariah Court.
Sisters In Islam Survey
Sisters in Islam is a Malaysian women’s advocacy group. One of its projects is the production of a model Muslim Family Law that is based on the principles of justice and equality, to replace present laws that are based on a superior husband and subordinate wife. Another related one is its survey on the impact of polygamy on families.
The survey found that nearly 90% of 523 children interviewed insisted that they would not start polygamous households when they grew up. Nearly 70% of women whose husbands took a second wife would not recommend polygamy, and they said that their husbands were not able to meet their needs fully. Not only that, many felt betrayed when their husbands took another wife. 65% of those interviewed said that they were not consulted first. Women who were superseded by other wives also felt ashamed and isolated themselves from their friends.
Nearly 80% of 214 husbands interviewed felt that they were able to provide for their families but many of the first wives felt cash-strapped. The 228 second wives interviewed were evenly split on whether to support polygamy.
The data are preliminary, and are not scientific because the number of polygamous marriages is unknown. It is hoped that the analysis will be completed by the end of this year, after which Sisters In Islam intends to submit them to the government and to urge the authorities to formulate better family policies for Muslims. One suggestion is that the Shariah Court applies stricter criteria before giving approval for polygamous marriages.
Background To Joseph Henrich’s Research Paper Filed In British Columbia Supreme Court
Here it is polygamy among Mormons that prompted the commissioning of the paper. The Supreme Court wished to know whether outlawing polygamy in a reference case to be heard in November is justified even if it breaches guarantees of religious freedom and freedom of expression. Joseph Henrich’s paper is but one of several that the Supreme Court has filed or will be filing.
There is no limit to the number of wives that Mormon men can take. For example, Winston Blackmore, a former bishop of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (FLDS), who was charged with polygamy last year, has more than 20 wives, and FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs, who is in jail in Utah, has more than 80.
Joseph Henrich’s Research Paper Filed In British Columbia Supreme Court
A key argument in Joseph Henrich’s paper is that in a society where polygyny (the taking of multiple wives) is rife, a good proportion of men end up remaining single, and that large groups of unmarried men create havoc.
Joseph Henrich provides a hypothetical example of 20 men and 20 women, in which 12 men with the highest status marry 12 women (it is always only the highest ranking men in polygynous societies that get multiple wives). Then the top 5 take a second wife, and the top 2 take a third. Finally the top guy takes a fourth. One result is that 40% of the men remain unmarried (though 58% of marriages are monogamous). He then cites examples of societies from history or of present-day societies where men outnumber women (eg in China and India). In such societies, bachelor bands compete ferociously , “and engage in aggressive, violent, and antisocial activities”.
Joseph Henrich also reports that a consistent finding is that children from polygynous families have considerably lower survival rates. This he attributes to the possibility that polygynous men use their money to add more wives rather than invest in their children.
Think About It
Is polygamy a realistic option in modern-day life? Can equality between the sexes and justice prevail in polygamous families? Can they prevail in polygamous marriages of two, three, or four wives, let alone 80 wives? If Tunisia, a Muslim country, can ban polygamy, can’t other Muslim countries do so as well? By having one law allowing polygyny for Muslims, but not for men of other religions in the same country, is that not assuming that Muslim women have fewer feelings and sensitivities than other women? Should freedom of expression and of religion take precedence over harms to families and society?
Previous posts
Malaysia – Polygamist Cheated By Second Wife
Is Polygamy Really A God-Given Right To Muslim Men?
Lies Hebbadj – Polygamous Wives Or Mistresses?
Indonesian Men – No To Polygamy
Polygamy
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