Hot Topic: Polygamy

I just saw a preview for the new TLC show Sister Wives. At first glance, I thought it was a fictional show, and since I'm a big fan of HBO's Big Love, it kept my attention. As it turns out, however, this is a reality show about a man who lives with his three wives and how they deal with their controversial lifestyle. This got me to thinking: How many folks really live like this? Do I know people who are closet polygamists? Is their lifestyle wrong because it isn't considered 'normal'?

The show is already stirring up controversy and I'm positive there will continue to be strong reactions after the show premieres this weekend, but it is easy for people to pass judgment on lifestyle choices without first knowing the facts.

To learn more about polygamy, check out the new book from Praeger, Polygamy in the Monogamous World: Multicultural Challenges for Western Law and Policy by Martha Bailey and Amy J. Kaufman. This book provides a careful examination of legal polygamy in non-Western countries and plural unions in North America.

It covers such topics as:
• Aboriginal Marriage
• Child Brides
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Closed Communities
• Comparative Law
• Gender Equality
• Incidents of Marriage
• Islamic Marriage Laws
• Legal Pluralism
• Marriage Laws
• Multiculturalism
• Muslims
• Plural Unions
• Religious Freedom

We want to hear from you! What are your thoughts on this timely topic?
 
--Elizabeth Millar, Senior Marketing Coordinator, ABC-CLIO