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From: berman@psuvax1.UUCP (Piotr Berman)
Newsgroups: net.legal,net.singles,net.social,net.women
Subject: Re: Supreme Court Ruling on Sodomy (really bigamy)
Message-ID: <2228@psuvax1.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 8-Aug-86 00:01:35 EDT
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Posted: Fri Aug  8 00:01:35 1986
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> I find it interesting that most people mean "multiple wives" by polygamy, and
> that the notion of "multiple husbands" is much rarer. I wonder what causes
> this?
>
> I'm not sure polygamy laws particularly protect women. Consider a culture that
>uses automobiles. Who benefits by having every family own two? The seller does.
>Increased demand means you can get a higher price. Now consider a culture where
> multiple wives are the norm. Women who are interested in getting married can
> shop around for a better grade of husband, get better terms on the marraige
> compact, etc.

First question is easy: polygamy means many wives.  Marriage with many
husbands is called polyandry (polyandria?).

As far as a better deal for women because of polygamy, I would be
sceptical.  Consider divorce: the complexity would grow exponentially.
Also, it would be possibly easier to get a fraction of an attractive
husband, but more difficult to get a whole husband.

I think that marriage laws are in a sence regulating the possible status
of individuals concerning taxes and benefits.  Allowing polygamy would
throw IRS, employer benefit offices and welfare administration
into a tailspin.  (For this reason Mormons were banished: people
did not have IRS, etc., and they knew how difficult it would be
to create those institutions would polygamy be allowed.  One of
the cases when progress was made possible by religious intolerance.)

Piotr Berman