MusicAdventurer
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"Hi, I'm Randy. I have sixteen wives and one husband. My girlfriend thinks I'm not very enlightened having just one male spouse, but what does she know? She's just the mistress".All your premises aside, a person's sexual relationships are their own business. Obviously, the young-girl-abusing nature of some forms of polygamy certainly warrants concern, but that is a consent and coercion issue. Adults can basically do whatever they want with each other. I see no reason for any social stigma.
Contrary to what most people may believe, evolutionarily speaking, the institution of marriage between one man and one woman actually benefits men more than women. Most men believe that polygamy would be better for men because men are "horn dogs" and all they want is tons of women for themselves. However, if polygamy were the socially appropriate mating style, men would loose on the deal. Here is why:
First, here are a few facts:
1.) Women are much more likely to be a biological parent than are men. How can this be you may ask? Its simple, look at the next facts:
2.) Men and woman both often have multiple sexual partners (this fact may be obvious to most people).
3.) Woman can be absolutely sure that the child(ren) they care for are their own. Men do not have that certainty. If a woman has unprotected sex with more than one man (especially during ovulation) she will have a child that is most certainly her own. However, a man can have unprotected sex with as many women as he wants and is not guaranteed to father a child (biologically at least). Therefore, monogamy protects men from providing resources to children that are not his own. A woman does not have to worry about this since if the child comes out of her womb it is most certainly her own.
4.) In world where highly disproportionate amounts of resources are dispersed between individuals, i.e. only a few people hold all the wealth, if polygamy and or polyandry were socially appropriate and it where the norm, it is likely that harems would emerge. This would be bad for most men on all fronts (evolutionarily at least). In the case of polygamy, there would only be a few happy men and there would be many unhappy men because most of the men with the most money would have several wives, leaving no wives for the poorer men. This would be a recipe for disaster, since studies have shown that men are married or partnered have fewer problems and are generally happier. Indeed, a chemical is released in the male that has calming effects; it also decreases testosterone in the male. The case of polyandry is obvious since only one man of the many, could father (biologically) a child. Essentially, not only would polygamy and or polyandry be bad for most males, it would likely be bad for society since there would likely be more aggressive crimes etc.
It should be noted that most women would reply to this argument by saying that women would never go for it... however, in a world where one individual's income could provide for 100's of wives, it is not inconceivable. Indeed, if the social stigma against polygamy and or polyandry were removed, there would not be much from preventing this from happening on a large scale. Sure, the wives would be jealous of the other wives, but evolutionarily speaking, the increase in resources would overrule that jealousy.
Polyandry is really more practical than polygamy.
I didn't realize it was socially stigmatized though. Obviously, it's not a legal form of "marriage" but that's a different debate altogether.
I assume that when you use the term polyandry you would define it as fidelitous polyamory. Not sure if fidelitous is a word but you know what I'm asking. Are we referring to a woman with more than one "husband" who is faithful to the 2 or more husbands that have made this arrangement?
Considering the practicality of these alternative arrangements, I don't think they are socially stigmatized. Legally, yes, but socially?
Contrary to what most people may believe, evolutionarily speaking, the institution of marriage between one man and one woman actually benefits men more than women.
We have a nearly equal number of males and females. What possible reason would we want all the hot women "bought" up by rich SOB's?
I doubt this would have a significant impact on society. Frankly I question the mental/emotional health of sets of folks who would willingly engage in polygamous arrangements. Who's being abused and controlled in this arrangement? Who's the abuser/controller? Are these really normal, healthy, functional people, on average?
I think these people exist on the margins, and not just because it's stigmatized, but because it doesn't really work any better than infidelity or open relationships.
All your premises aside, a person's sexual relationships are their own business. Obviously, the young-girl-abusing nature of some forms of polygamy certainly warrants concern, but that is a consent and coercion issue. Adults can basically do whatever they want with each other. I see no reason for any social stigma.
"Hi, I'm Randy. I have sixteen wives and one husband. My girlfriend thinks I'm not very enlightened having just one male spouse, but what does she know? She's just the mistress".
Ah, the carnal charms of unfettered Socialism....
In the societies out there which practice polyandry or polygamy, there is a specific reason and benefit. These reasons and benefits are different and based on things like social-order, hierarchy, familial responsibilities, inheritance, etc. It is not a social-norm issue which relies on public acceptance. If it does, that's usually in cases where the royal family or leader of the tribe (etc) is permitted to have more than one wife (or vise versa) to aid in the duties therein (beyond parenting children) - yet the individuals who rank beneath him/her are not permitted to do so.
In the US we cater to the individual needs and desires - we don't rely on social norms and other considerations to form most of our beliefs and living concerns. Thus, when people are told "you cannot do ___" in the areas where society does insert itself - they become personally opinion. The self, in these situations, is ranked too high.
"I should be able to do whatever I want" is the thought process for such people.
In truth, there's simply no reason or benefit beyond immediate personal desires for such relationships. There are no royal customs, there are no land-rights, there is no fear that the family cannot continuously divide their land for each male born, etc. There are only a few people who just want to for no reason other than their own personal desires.
In the US - we uphold individuality but "because I want to" doesn't cut it.
Do you see any way that polygamy or polyandry could be harmful to society?
Filled entirely with consenting adults, not really.
So you are saying you feel there should be some societal gain in supporting things like polygamy or polyandry ... ? ?
If one man has 5 wives, then 4 men have none. Can you just imagine how the expression of all that pent up lust will manifest itself?
Oh, you say we are already seeing that on the world stage? Yeah, I guess you have a point.
Do you see any way that polygamy or polyandry could be harmful to society?
All your premises aside, a person's sexual relationships are their own business. Obviously, the young-girl-abusing nature of some forms of polygamy certainly warrants concern, but that is a consent and coercion issue. Adults can basically do whatever they want with each other. I see no reason for any social stigma.
I'd be more than happy to spell it out for ya. What I'm doing is taking a snap shot of what very well could be the not too distant future, and sharing it with this forum. Does that answer your question, or would you like to go a little more in depth?So what is your point/argument? Spell it out for us please
The relation is Paschendale, the person I responded to; he's a Socialist.I am curious how you think socialism is related to this topic .... ? ?
Do explain...
Oh there is!!!
polyandry defined: A pattern of mating in which a female animal has more than one male mate
source: https://www.google.com/#q=polyandry...99,d.eWU&fp=bcc04ea0b242737c&biw=1366&bih=552
Interesting opinion, but studies have shown that these alternative arrangements are a counterculture and stigmatized. In what way do you feel they are not stigmatized?
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