7/20/2017 Polygamy Its Negative Implications and Consequences Essay Example for Free

Polygamy Its Negative Implications and Consequences Essay

Subject: Sociology (https://studymoose.com/sociology) Date: 8 August 2015

University/College: University of California Words: 4534

Type of paper: Thesis/Dissertation Chapter Pages: 16

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(Beaman and Calder, 2013). All the above reasons applied in traditional African societies. However, in the contemporary world
today, most of these practices have been overtaken by time and can no longer be practicable.

Negative implications of polygamy

Effects on women in polygamous marriages.In my view, polygamy is a way of life that should not be allowed in society
due to its negative implications. Primarily, it creates male dominated marriages where the woman is left voiceless in the whole
setup. Secondly, it forces women into subordinate roles and results in unworkable families full of strife, abuse and incest
(Ward, 2010).
(/) Polygamous families usually live in isolated communities that are totally unaffected by the outside world. The
seclusion of these towns raises eyebrows concerning security, safety and health of the town dwellers, state law enforcers,
federal laws and the country at large (Beaman and Calder, 2013). It can therefore be argued women face greater risks in
polygamous marriages. The standard argument remains that polygamy subordinates women and fails to treat the latter as
equals with men. Some scholars argue that the state should not take interest in voluntary family arrangements (McMahon,
2010).

The reason behind it being that it would illegitimately endorse one comprehensive doctrine over others. To them, an unjust
family arrangement is one that undermines the equality of women and fails to recognize that wives are equal citizens with their
husbands. As such, polygamy is a structural inegalitarian practice that subjects women to higher risks of harmful effects
compared to men (McMahon, 2010). It is for this reason that polygamy should be forbidden since it denies women the liberty,
rights and opportunities available to men. In essence, polygamy represents an unjustified asymmetry of power between men
and women and in my opinion should therefore be banned.

Overpopulation in affected countriesIn sub-Saharan Africa, the culture of polygamy has contributed to explosive population
growth since the early 1950s (McMahon, 2010). By exposing almost all women to early and prolonged dangers of pregnancy,
polygamy results in high fertility rates of between seven and nine children in these countries. The introduction of low-priced
and effective healthcare and sanitary technology from developed countries is also a contributing factor (McMahon, 2010).

The control of sexually transmitted infections becomes overly difficult in the practice of polygamy (Beaman and Calder, 2013).
Take for instance a man who has five wives under his wing. He will engage in sexual relations with all of them and since he is
married to all, using protection becomes inconsequential. If either the man or one of the wives is suffering from a sexually
transmitted disease, every other participant in the fold is at risk of contracting it. In a study conducted in Nigeria, West Africa, it
was found that those men in the survey had more than three or more wives (Beaman and Calder, 2013). This meant that they
were more likely to engage in extra-marital sex and were at higher risk of contacting sexually transmitted diseases and
infecting their wives. This proves women were at higher risk from men with three or more wives both as their wives and as
extramarital sex partners.

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