Polygamy/Polyamory

[elyes_bouhouche]

One of the main concerns of the authorities was the practice of polygamy as it was considered an ‘Asian’ custom and a ‘Mohammedan barbarism’. It contradicted the ‘civilized’ traditions of Western Europeans and whites in the United States. State marriage laws categorically prohibited polygamy, and immigrants were required to swear not to tolerate or practice it as a condition of immigration and naturalization to American citizenship. Given that some Mormons still practise polygamy today, this law is more racist than logical. I’d also like to touch on the subject of polyamorous relationships, a type of relationship that is sometimes associated with polygamy but is much less talked about. Although polyamory is different from polygamy, there are similarities in specific dynamics. For example, in some polyamorous relationships, one partner may accept that the other has relationships with other people without actually participating in them, which is reminiscent of certain aspects of polygamy. More attention and thought are needed to understand these different types of relationships and the perceptions associated with them. Correct me if I’m wrong or if I have misinterpreted things, but voila.