Polygamy is a form of marriage in which a person has more than one spouse at a time; it most often occurs in the form of polygyny, when a man has multiple wives. Although the practice has been illegal in the United States for over one hundred years, it is estimated that over 30,000 citizens are involved in plural marriages (Eagle). Polygamy is mainly practiced by Mormon fundamentalists living in Utah and Arizona, but there are smaller pockets elsewhere in the country. Polygamous families usually live in isolated communities that are completely unaffected by the outside world. The seclusion of these towns raises concerns for the relative safety and health of the town's residents as well as the enforcement of state and federal laws followed by the rest of the country. Although marriage is considered to be the mutual forming of a bond between a couple, in many polygamous marriages women are forced into the role of wife. They have no choice but to become subservient to their husband. From an early age they are taught of male dominance and are brainwashed by their culture and religion to refuse to
Polygamy is a form of marriage in which a person has more than one spouse at a time; it most often occurs in the form of polygyny, when a man has multiple wives. Although the practice has been illegal in the United States for over one hundred years, it is estimated that over 30,000 citizens are involved in plural marriages (Eagle). Polygamy is mainly practiced by Mormon fundamentalists living in Utah and Arizona, but there are smaller pockets elsewhere in the country. Polygamous families usually live in isolated communities that are completely unaffected by the outside world. The seclusion of these towns raises concerns for the relative safety and health of the town's residents as well as the enforcement of state and federal laws followed by the rest of the country. Although marriage is considered to be the mutual forming of a bond between a couple, in many polygamous marriages women are forced into the role of wife. They have no choice but to become subservient to their husband. From an early age they are taught of male dominance and are brainwashed by their culture and religion to refuse to