Polyandry definition is the state or practice of having more than one husband or male mate at one time. The practice of polygamy occupies a unique place in north american history and has had a profound effect on its legal and social development. Polygamy is defined as having more than one wife or husband at the same time, usually a man with several wives. Polygamy is a more general term that encompasses the practice. Women are important because it is they who procreate children. Polygamy from late greek, polygamia, state of marriage to many spouses is the practice of marrying multiple spouses. Dec 31, 2019 because mormon polygamy was an unusual family form in nineteenthcentury america zoology the state or habit of having more than one sexual mate. Polygamy, which is defined as the practice of having more than one spouse, is a common, and widespread, socially as well as culturally accepted phenomenon in many african countries 1,2. What is commonly reckoned as polygamy is accurately called polygyny, the complementary institution being polyandry. D department of religious studies olabisi onabanjo university, agoiwoye ogun state, nigeria abstract. Polygamy the offense of willfully and knowingly having more than one wife or husband at the same time. The term polygamy is used in this book to refer to the practice of one man having more than one wife at the same time, otherwise known as polygyny. Pdf polygamy remains one of the key topics in various societies.
Every one who practises or enters into or in any manner agrees or consents. For the purposes of this paper, all references to polygamy and polygyny are within the cultural context only and are not within the legal definition of polygamy. For example, a second spouse may qualify for entry to the uk in a different. Polygamy is when an individual has more than one spouse, either wife or husband. So, it is a completely antipolygamy agenda pov to try to make all polygamy defined by an exclusively mormon founder.
Oct 14, 2019 polygamous not comparable of, relating to, or practicing polygamy. Thomas hylland eriksen very rightly says that marriage isessential for human survival. Download full report as a pdf download full report as a word document. Polygamy is the practice of having more than one wife. Polygamy article about polygamy by the free dictionary.
Within the wider definition of polygamy, the term polygyny refers to one man having multiple wives, and the equivalent term for one woman having multiple husbands is polyandry historically, the most common form of polygamy has been polygyny, while examples of polyandry are rare or nonexistent in most societies, with tibet being one notable exception. Polygamy laws do not apply to aliens who are temporarily visiting the united states, provided that polygamy is lawful in their country of origin. Definition of polygamy written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. Polygamy was both forbidden and permitted at different times in the old. Often in a polygamous marriage, a man marries sisters or the daughter of a wife. The most common form is polygyny, where a man can have many wives. There is always the conditionan inescapable onethat whatever the society, the women should outnumber the men. Polyandry definition of polyandry by merriamwebster. To the contrary, the old testament and rabbinic writings frequently attest to the legality of polygamy. Polygamy meaning and example sentences with polygamy. Whereas it is believed erroneously among many people that polygamy implies the art of a man being married to more than one wife, the true definition of polygamy implies the.
In comparison to mating systems, definitions of social systems are more likely to take into account the role of females. Pdf attitudes to polygamy in english law researchgate. Islamic concept of polygamy, its benefits and impact on. Without a marriage recognised by society or law, a relationship created with multiple partners is called polyamory. All previous revealed religions practiced and condoned. Popular polygamy books showing 150 of 479 escape hardcover by. And created attraction for men in women and vice versa. Polygamy definition is marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time. Polygamy is simply the accumulation of multiple spouses. The effects of polygamy on children and adolescents. This is the british english pronunciation of polygamy. If a marriage includes multiple husbands and wives, it can be called a group marriage.
Polygamy is defined as a mating system in which an individual has more than one mate simultaneously that can either be male or female. My story of growing up in a polygamous sect, becoming a teenage bride, and breakin. The book also considers how polygamy challenges our traditional notions of gender and marriage and how it might be effectively regulated to comport. To download a combined unbound and bound alphabetized index, click here for word and click here for pdf. The most common form of polygamy is polygyny, where a man has several wives. Thus, polygamy is a generic term that captures any form of nonmonogamous marriage. Polygamy definition for englishlanguage learners from. Islamic concept of polygamy, its benefits and impact on society janas khani muhammad zahoorii abstract allah the creator of the whole universe made mats of everything in this universe. The institution of marriage, quite like that of the family, is universal. If mating occurs among the members of these groups, this would constitute polygamy, or polygynandry in simultaneous hermaphrodites.
Polyandry definition and meaning collins english dictionary. When a man is married to more than one wife at a time, sociologists call this polygyny. The polygamy question explores the ways in which indigenous and immigrant polygamous practices have shaped the lives of individuals, communities, and the broader societies that have engaged with it. Tapestry against polygamy, composed of former plural wives, are countered by defenders of polygyny such as the women who wrote harmony of polygamy. Polygamy has been a persistent problem in africa for the christian missions which brought the gospel to the contment. He also revealed his laws for family which starts from a man and woman. Zoology a mating pattern in which a single individual mates with more than. The offense of willfully and knowingly entering into a second marriage while validly married to another individual is bigamy. The condition or practice of having more than one spouse at one time. The word comes from poly meaning many and gamos meaning marriage. Polygamy the custom of having more than one wife or husbands at the same time. Polygamy is the custom in some societies in which someone can be legally married to more. King solomon is said to have had 700 wives and 300 concubines 1. If just two wives or husbands, can be referred to as bigamy.
A mating pattern in which a male mates with more than one female in a single breeding season. Polygamy differs from bigamy in that the wives and children of the polygamist generally form one family. In comparison to mating systems, definitions of social systems are more likely to take into. For more crosscultural examples of multiple marriage or stories about the intrigues and violence accompanying historical polygamy, see stephanie coontz, marriage, a history. In the united states, it is illegal to be legally married to more than one person at a given time. However, polyandry is the technical word for having more than one husband. Sin the action of breaking a religious or moral law. The existence of a valid marriage entered into by the defendant prior to the second valid marriage is an essential element of the offense in every jurisdiction.
It is through cultural practices, beliefs and also on the individuals choices that people decide to be committed to polygamy. The open education sociology dictionary oesd is part of the open access and open education movement and seeks to create an entry level resource for sociology students, educators, and the curious. Being married to more than one person if just two wives or husbands, can be referred to as bigamy canadas criminal code. The condition or practice of having more than one wife at one time. University press of colorado the polygamy question. So, it is a completely anti polygamy agenda pov to try to make all polygamy defined by an exclusively mormon founder. Polygany definition of polygany by the free dictionary. Definition and synonyms of polygamy from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. Though polygamy has been a divisive issue, the early missionary societies were remarkably united on their common approach to. Although polygyny is illegal in the united states, it is rather popular.
Marriage to more than one wife at the same time polygamy is a practice as old as the history of man, and is allowed in islamic law. Top definition is having more than one spouse at a time. An insect queen actually practices polygamy only one day, while for an alphamale defending his harem is the very essence of both his status and polygamy. For example, south africa ratified the convention on elimination of all forms. The beginning of your term paper should allow readers to reconstruct your golden threat.
Polygamy and christianity in africa t a falaye, ph. The new hbo television show, big love, has led many people to contact the council on contemporary families for background on polygamy. Polygamy definition of polygamy by the free dictionary. Polygyny is officially defined as the practice or condition of a man having more than one wife at a time. Being married to multiple wives or husbands at the same time.
This commons library briefing paper deals with when polygamous marriages might be legally. Strictly speaking, polygamy, meaning plural marriage. When a woman is married to more than one husband at a time, it is called polyandry. In order to do so, shortly explain the scope or problem discussed throughout the text, aswell as its academic relevance in the field, your approaches, methods and the final aim of your outcomes. Polygamy definition and meaning collins english dictionary.
Much has been written on this subject as evidenced by the extensive bibliography of this article. Polygamy meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Polygamy definition, the practice or condition of having more than one spouse, especially wife, at one time. Polygamy has been and is the open blazon by the human race of sex vice. Though islam allows polygamy, it is frowned upon in many contemporary muslim societies. In all societies the choice of partners is generally guided by rules of exogamy the obligation to marry outside a group. A less common form is polyandry, where a woman has several husbands. Polygamy definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Polygamy and islam polygamy and islam 5 one point greatly in need of clarification is the fact that in the matter of marrying more than one woman, the initiative does not lie solely with any individual man. Definition of a potentially polygamous marriage in english law.
Though popularly polygamy is understood to mean marriage with two or more wives, it properly designates marriage of eithera man or woman with more than one mate. Among others, polygamy was well known to the ancient hebrews, egyptians, greeks, persians, assyrians, japanese, hindus, russians and germanic peoples. Christian polygamy is only about 10 years old, and that could perhaps be called as modern polygamy in calling mormon polygamy old polygamy but that would equally not be accurate. Less common, but found in some societies such as tibet, is polyandry, where a woman can have many husbands.
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