Polygamy in the United States: The Political Controversy about what is acceptable in Today's Modern Practicies
Polygamy in the United States:
The Political Controversy about What Is Acceptable in Today’s Modern Practices For many years, there have been arguments as to whether or not Polygamist practices should be allowed in the United States. In 1862, the United States Congress passed a law that forbid “polygyny”, a form of polygamy in which men are married to multiple women partners. However, many Mormon groups still practiced this illegally until their church banned it in 1890. Although the law put a stop to many Polygamist practices, some Mormon’s decided that they were too committed and were not going to stray away from the original Mormon beliefs because of the law (Keith 650). Polygamy in the United States has been political controversy for numerous years. Most people believe that it should not be allowed or passed by legislature, due to the many cons of the religion. Allowing polygamy not only increases the number of sexually transmitted diseases, but also confuses their children, and does not give women the right to equalities in marriage. In the world today, there are many changes that are occurring. We, as Americans have learned to adapt to most changes and accept things that were once forbidden. However, some changes are very controversial from person to person, and there is a questionable inquiry between what is wrong and what is right. One of these huge arguments is the practice of polygamy; a Mormon’s way of life (Vega 1). In today’s society, Americans who know what this way of life is, find polygamy to be incest and improper. Although polygamy is still illegal in the United States, many Mormon families tend to practice it (Modern Polygamy…). There are two kinds of polygamy; polyandry and polygyny. Polyandry is a form of polygamy in which a woman is married to many different men. Polygyny is a form of polygamy in which a man is married to many different women. Polygyny is much more common in today’s society than polyandry, and Mormon
The Political Controversy about What Is Acceptable in Today’s Modern Practices For many years, there have been arguments as to whether or not Polygamist practices should be allowed in the United States. In 1862, the United States Congress passed a law that forbid “polygyny”, a form of polygamy in which men are married to multiple women partners. However, many Mormon groups still practiced this illegally until their church banned it in 1890. Although the law put a stop to many Polygamist practices, some Mormon’s decided that they were too committed and were not going to stray away from the original Mormon beliefs because of the law (Keith 650). Polygamy in the United States has been political controversy for numerous years. Most people believe that it should not be allowed or passed by legislature, due to the many cons of the religion. Allowing polygamy not only increases the number of sexually transmitted diseases, but also confuses their children, and does not give women the right to equalities in marriage. In the world today, there are many changes that are occurring. We, as Americans have learned to adapt to most changes and accept things that were once forbidden. However, some changes are very controversial from person to person, and there is a questionable inquiry between what is wrong and what is right. One of these huge arguments is the practice of polygamy; a Mormon’s way of life (Vega 1). In today’s society, Americans who know what this way of life is, find polygamy to be incest and improper. Although polygamy is still illegal in the United States, many Mormon families tend to practice it (Modern Polygamy…). There are two kinds of polygamy; polyandry and polygyny. Polyandry is a form of polygamy in which a woman is married to many different men. Polygyny is a form of polygamy in which a man is married to many different women. Polygyny is much more common in today’s society than polyandry, and Mormon
Cited: Howlett, David J. "Modern Polygamy In The United States: Historical, Cultural, And Legal Issues." Church History 81.2 (2012): 492-494. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco-Host. Web. 15 Oct. 2013. “Inside the Lives of a Polygamist Family.” Oprah.com. The Oprah Winfrey Show, 14 October. 2010. Web. 15 October. 2013. http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Inside-the-Lives-of-a-Polygamist-Family/12 . Kieth, Jennie. “Polygamy.” World Book. 2006 Ed. Vol. 15-P. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2006. Print. Luscombe, Belinda. "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do." Time 180.6 (2012): 42-47. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco-Host. Web. 15 Oct. 2013. “Polygamy USA.” National Geographic. National Geographic Channel. 12 April. 2013. Web. 15 October. 2013. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/polygamy-usa/. Riess, Jana. “Understanding Polygamy in Mormon History.” For Dummies. John Wiley and Sons Inc. February. 2005. Web. 15 October. 2013. http://www.dummies.com/howto/content/understanding-polygamy-in-mormon-history.html . Ross, Susan Deller. "Should Polygamy Be Permitted In The United States?." Human Rights 38.2 (2011): 20-21. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Oct. 2013. Witte JR, John. "The Legal Challenges Of Religious Polygamy In The USA." Ecclesiastical Law Journal 11.1 (2009): 72-75. Academic Search Complete. Ebsco-Host. Web. 15 Oct. 2013. Vega, Cecilia. Modern Polygamy: Arizona Mormon Fundamentalists Seek to Shed Stereotypes. ABC News: Nightline. 2013. Film.