Introduction This essay analyzes the gender inequality, human rights, and legal context of polygamy. This essay examines Canada’s law that prohibits polygamy and assess why polygamy in not considered a religious right. Additionally, the harms and inequality of women in polygamous relationships will be discoursed, with a review of Canada’s obligation to the International Women’s Convention. Lastly, the negative psychological, health and educational impacts on children being brought up in polygamous families will be examined. Overall, this essay will demonstrate the negative effects of polygamy and argue that its criminalization in Canada is completely justified. Polygamy in Canada: Religious freedom or crime? In Canada, the practice of polygamy is a controversial subject regarding the violation of religious rights (Bala, 2009). Communities that practice polygamy, challenge its criminalization as a violation of their religious rights (Bala, 2009). Despite these arguments, any practice of polygamy within Canada leads to prosecution under Criminal Code section 293 (Sweet, 2013). This law puts forward the concerns of whether section 293 is consistent with the constitutional right that guarantees Canadians of the freedom of religious belief. Including concerns of whether section 293 unreasonably causes discrimination against religions that practice polygamy (Buck, 2012). However, Canada deems various harms connected to polygamy, which help justify section 293. In Canada, polygamy is depicted as being against Canadian values and not being coherent with Canada’s national identity (Sweet, 2013). Section 293 reinforces the restrictions on religious practices to ensure they are within the boundaries of Canadian values (Sweet, 2013). It... ... middle of paper ... ...due to inadequate education (Bala, 2009). Insufficient education also causes children to become irresponsible citizens and additionally causes a negative impact to the broader society (Campbell, 2005). In some cases, polygamous families discriminately forbid females to partake in secondary education (Buck, 2012). This act violates the right to education for these girls (Cook & Kelly, 2006). Young girls are given an education that prepares them to be the future wives and mothers, they are taught to accept the unequal role of being dominated by males (Bala, 2009). Additionally, the inadequacy of sex education given to girls can cause girls to be unaware of sexual disease and high-risk sexual practices (Cook & Kelly, 2006). Even if the polygamous girls are allowed to attend the religious schools, the likelihood of sex education is improbable (Cook & Kelly, 2006).
Marriage is usually considered as a tie between two individuals who love each other, but Elizabeth Joseph in the article “Polygamy - the Ultimate Feminist Lifestyle” introduced an interesting alternative for an individual who wants a person to be their spouse regardless of their marriage status. She also presents polygamy as an effective option for modern independent women to maximize their time between their career and family life. However, Joseph, as a journalist and an attorney, only mentioned the benefits of polygamy without the cons that follows it. She also admits in practicing polygamy herself. Through this we can reveal that she is not a reliable source to show that polygamy is the “ultimate lifestyle” because she is clearly biased
There is one day out of the year when you see sights of couples everywhere: Valentine’s Day. You see individuals out in stores buying roses, large teddy bears and grabbing the last remaining chocolate candy boxes that are left on the shelves. But if you are imagining a man and a woman as the couple you’re visioning, you are in for a surprise. A man and a woman isn’t the only way to go through life as how a couple should look. In fact, it is estimated over 100,000 monogamous people in the Unites States are performing polygamy secretly with their partner’s full permission. These popular nonmonogamous relationships do not match to the cultural norm of a loving couple in love for life. One of the most difficult aspects of multiculturalism is the determination to adapt to some cultural groups’ needs involving certain traditional practices that might clash with the ideas of multiculturalism and self-governing civil rights. Normally, many of these exercises have religious roots, but these are not limited. Some important cases are certain rights of opening exercises: spiritual and religious. For most of the cases, a smaller group’s traditional exercises are against the norms of a typical society but also organize a substantial aspect of the way of life for that certain culture. Some samples of polygamy in Islam, female circumcision in Eastern Africa nations, or Ta-moko, as referred to as tattooing of the face, in the culture of Maori. The most crucial topic around these established practices in the multiculturalism debate is the idea of agreement. Yet, not all exercises are achieved with the agreement of the subjects. Some cultures and historic periods are seen to embrace polyamory, while other cul...
Polygamy is the case in which a man or a woman has multiple spouses. One branch of polygamy is termed “polygyny”, which is when “one man is married to several wives” (Zeitzen 3). In polygyny, women have become incredibly subservient because they believe being the best sister wife would mean coming closer God. This means they will obey their husbands and the prophet without question. Some of these Mormon fundamentalists reside in a tucked away community know as Bountiful, British Columbia. The women in Bountiful are being subjected to the confinements and abuse induced by their religious cult. “Some of Bountiful’s men are in there forties and fifties when they marry girls as young as fourteen” (Bramham 12). This is pertinent in showing For example; women “are programmed by their prophets to look happy... [and] are taught from birth to “keep sweet”.” (Bramham 17) This critical statement defends the idea of coercing “code[s] for blind obedience” (Bramham 195).
In Western culture, there have been attempts to establish polygamist groups, primarily based upon differing religious viewpoints; however, most of these have not been able to withstand the pressure applied by the religious and cultural majority. If one wants to live and prosper in a given society, it is not advantageous to swim too hard against the current.
Currently, by definition and tradition, we are living in an American society that sees itself as predominantly monogamous. However, this monogamous society has increasingly been filled with cheating, unfaithful, and overall promiscuous individual. As of today, 57% of American males and 54% of American females, admit to committing infidelity in any relationship they’ve (Glass) So what exactly happen to the ideology of monogamy in America? What has happen to the system of having only one partner at any specific time? Is monogamy really dying, or is it already six feet under in today’s society? Some may argue that America was never truly a monogamous society and thus monogamy isn’t dying but merely less represented. On the other hand, people argue that one can do as they please and if being in a non-monogamous relationship makes them happy, to each their own. My own view is that monogamy is facing a dying role in American culture. Non-monogamous practices have grown to become a visible part of today’s American society. This paper will look at why monogamy is important, the reason it’s dying and why it needs to be placed back in the spotlight.
In Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns polygamous culture is highly accepted and legal. This acceptance stems from Mariam’s own father Jalil had 4 wives, but could not bring himself to accept his illegitimate child. Rasheed and Mariam’s marriage becomes a polygamous one when he coerces Laila into marriage. Polygamy is legal in over 100 countries mostly in the middle east and third world countries of africa. Attitudes toward polygamy in countries like the US and UK greatly contrast those in the middle East, but as TV shows like Sister wives become more accepted so does the idea. The practice of polygamy has caused some debate in the 20th century; and with the new legislation legalizing gay marriage one might say the legalization of
Same-sex couples are not the only couples changing. Heterosexual marriages are undergoing large transformations due to gender roles and expectations. In 1981, 90% of women by the age of 50 were involved in a marriage (Canadian Social Trends, 2007). What is more astonishing is, in 1981, 1 out of 1000 marriages ended in divorce and in 2006 the census recorded out of 1000 marriages 120 resulted in divorce (Canadian S...
Marriage equality for its citizens has become a hot button issue in America these days. Many people agree that marriage does not need to be between one man and one woman, but between people who are deeply in love regardless of their romantic preferences. However, should it still only be between two people? Although it is not as publically acknowledged as homosexuality, polyamory is becoming more common in today’s world. A better understanding of polyamorous relationships will make it easier to consider this subject during the forming of legislature regarding marriage equality.
Despite these notable numbers, polyamory remains misunderstood and much maligned. Largely due to our unwarranted and yet seemingly unwavering faith in the sanctity of monogamy, polygamists often feel tremendous pressure to hide their private lives, for fear of losing the respect of friends and family. By creating a stigma around having multiple partners, we as a society are committing nothing less than discrimination. Despite all of the arguments that its opponents have hurled against the lifestyle, p...
Cruel matters such as racism, discrimination, polygamy and its influence on human trafficking exist all around the world. Particular countries are known for it more than others, nevertheless, they are happening around us just as much. At first glance, Canada may seem like an accepting and welcoming country that would not be involved with these problems. On the contrary to what most people believe, these matters exists right under our noses. Bountiful, British Columbia is an example of polygamy happening near us and not knowing it. Polygamy “is an umbrella term that refers to the state of having more than one spouse at the same time. Why is polygamy and human trafficking relevant to us? These issues surrounding polygamy are unconstitutional.
A family of five, the mother is sick, the father has just lost his job, the kids are beginning to worry. The father has set his eyes on another woman. She is young, she is a single mother, she has a stable job, and she wants to become a wife. The man’s wife agrees with him on bringing the young woman and her child into their family. The man marries the young woman and introduces her and her child into the family soon after. The young woman and her child love the new family. The young woman provides for the family while her new husband looks for a new job, while her husband’s three children play with her child, and while her sister wife recovers from her illness. The beginning of the practice of polygamy is not well known, but
“Polygamy is defined as a marriage in which a spouse of either gender has more than one mate at the same time. Polygamy is considered a valid form of marriage in many countries and communities around the globe” (Al-Krenawi). However, polygamy is illegal in the United States. Those who practice polygamy in America can only be “legally” married to one spouse; therefore, the subsequent spouses in a polygamist relationship hold a “singl...
The Western Religious leaders and moralists believe only one spouse for life is the highest form of marriage. Some of the most "primitive" peoples are strictly monogamous in their ideals, while some "highly advanced" cultures have moved away from the stri...
In today’s society the assumption asserts that there must be only two adults integrated in a relationship, however in polygamous environments, having more than one spouse is traditional. Some may argue that Polygamy is simply just an alternate lifestyle. This, however, ceases to be true. Young girls are being forced to marry older men and sometimes relatives. Little boys are often abandoned because it appears to be competition for older men. Children are victims of sexual and physical abuse. Whereas, for women, they generally become stripped of their money and experience competition against the multiple wives a husband. Although Polygamy is viewed as immoral by society, the main focus point should be saving young children and women because
One of the most controversial type of marriage to modern day society is polygamy. Polygamy is the practice of simultaneously having multiple spouses. Polygamy is often depicted in this nature due to the fact it contrasts with the socially acceptable conventional marriage. This view however, is not shared amongst cultures who practice it through the justification of religion or ideals all around the world.