Polygamy, the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time, is a marital custom with a complex global presence. While often misunderstood, it’s crucial to understand what polygamy is, where it’s practiced, and its legal and social implications. Despite its historical and cultural significance in certain regions, polygamy is not the dominant form of marriage worldwide. In fact, it is relatively rare, with monogamy being the most common marital arrangement globally.
A significant point to note is the distinction between polygamy, polygyny, and polyandry. Polygamy is the umbrella term for multiple spouses. Polygyny, the most prevalent form, is when a man has multiple wives. Polyandry, where a woman has multiple husbands, is considerably rarer. This article will delve into the nuances of polygamy, exploring its prevalence, geographical distribution, legal status, and socio-religious contexts, primarily focusing on polygyny as it is the more common practice.
Polygamy Prevalence: A Global Overview
Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that polygamy is uncommon globally. Approximately 2% of the world’s population resides in polygamous households. In the vast majority of countries, this figure is even lower, falling below 0.5%. This highlights that while polygamy exists, it is far from being a widespread practice.
The global stance on polygamy is largely one of prohibition. Organizations like the United Nations Human Rights Committee have voiced strong opposition, stating that “polygamy violates the dignity of women” and advocating for its complete abolition. However, the enforcement of these prohibitions varies significantly across nations. In many countries, particularly where religious or customary law holds sway over civil law, the regulation of marriage often rests with religious leaders or community elders, creating a complex legal landscape.
Despite the general rarity, there are specific regions where polygamy is more prevalent. Sub-Saharan Africa stands out as the primary region where polygamous households are more common.
Polygamy in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Hub of Plural Marriages
Sub-Saharan Africa exhibits the highest rates of polygamy globally. Around 11% of the population in this region lives in households with multiple spouses. Within this region, a cluster of West and Central African countries, often termed the “polygamy belt,” shows particularly high prevalence. Countries like Burkina Faso (36%), Mali (34%), and Nigeria (28%) have significant portions of their populations living in polygamous arrangements. In these nations, polygamy often holds legal recognition to varying degrees.
It’s noteworthy that religious affiliation in Sub-Saharan Africa intersects with polygamous practices. While polygamy is found across different religious groups in the region, it is more common among Muslims compared to Christians (25% vs. 3%). However, in certain countries, the practice extends significantly to followers of indigenous religions and those with no religious affiliation. For example, in Burkina Faso, polygamy is practiced by 45% of those adhering to folk religions, 40% of Muslims, and 24% of Christians. Interestingly, Chad presents an exception where Christians (21%) are more likely to live in polygamous households than Muslims (10%).
Polygamy in Muslim-Majority Countries: Legal but Not Always Common
Many countries that legally permit polygamy have Muslim-majority populations. Islamic tradition, referencing Quran verse 4:3, allows men to take up to four wives, provided they can care for them equitably. The Prophet Muhammad’s multiple marriages are also often cited as precedent. Historically, some scholars suggest that the permissibility of polygamy in early Islam was partly a response to wars in 7th-century Arabia, which resulted in numerous widows and orphans needing societal support.
Despite legal allowance in many Muslim-majority nations, the practice is not widespread in many of them. In countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, and Egypt, less than 1% of Muslim men live with multiple wives, even though polygamy is legal for Muslims in these regions. Similar legal allowances exist in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, although data for these countries was not included in the Pew Research Center study. This indicates that legal permissibility does not automatically translate to widespread practice.
Historical and Religious Context: Polygamy in Judaism and Christianity
While often associated with Islam in contemporary discussions, polygamy has historical roots in other major religions as well. The Jewish Torah and the Christian Old Testament contain accounts of accepted plural marriages involving prominent figures like Abraham, Jacob, and David. However, both Judaism and Christianity largely moved away from polygamy during the Middle Ages. Modernly, mainstream Jewish and Christian denominations do not condone polygamy.
Despite this general stance, certain Christian denominations have historically practiced polygamy. Notably, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) practiced polygamy until the late 19th century in the United States. While the mainstream Mormon Church has since abandoned the practice, some splinter groups continue to practice polygamy today, highlighting the diverse interpretations and practices within religious traditions.
Legal and Social Aspects of Polygamy
The legal status of polygamy varies dramatically across the globe, reflecting diverse cultural, religious, and social norms.
Varying Legal Status Around the World
The legality of polygamy is complex and inconsistent globally. In many Western countries, including the United States, polygamy is illegal. In the U.S., while prosecution for cohabiting with multiple partners is rare, marrying someone while already married is against the law in every state. Interestingly, Utah recently reduced penalties for consensual adult polygamous relationships, reclassifying it from a felony to a lower-level offense.
In other parts of the world, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, the legal stance is more nuanced. In Nigeria, for example, civil marriages are monogamous under federal law. However, twelve northern states, with a Muslim majority, recognize polygamous marriages under Islamic or customary law. India also presents a mixed scenario where Muslim men are permitted to have multiple wives, while men of other religions are restricted to monogamy. These examples demonstrate how legal frameworks often attempt to accommodate diverse religious and cultural practices, leading to varying degrees of legal recognition and regulation of polygamy within and between countries.
Polygyny vs. Polyandry: Forms of Polygamy
As previously mentioned, polygamy encompasses both polygyny (one man, multiple wives) and polyandry (one woman, multiple husbands). Polygyny is significantly more common, representing the vast majority of polygamous arrangements globally. Polyandry, in contrast, is exceedingly rare and is typically found in very isolated and small communities around the world. This disparity in prevalence underscores the gendered nature of polygamy in practice and law, with legal frameworks often more geared towards regulating or permitting polygyny while polyandry remains largely unaddressed or unrecognized.
Shifting Attitudes: Polygamy in the United States
Even in regions where polygamy is legally prohibited and socially frowned upon, attitudes are evolving. In the United States, for instance, public opinion on polygamy is showing signs of shifting. A recent Gallup poll indicated that one in five U.S. adults believe polygamy is morally acceptable. This represents a near tripling from 7% when the same question was first asked in 2003. While still among the least accepted behaviors in Gallup polls, this trend suggests a growing tolerance or at least a re-evaluation of societal norms around marriage and relationships, particularly among self-described liberals who are significantly more likely to view polygamy as morally acceptable compared to conservatives (34% vs. 9%). However, it is crucial to note that despite changing opinions, polygamy remains legally prohibited in the U.S., and these shifts in moral acceptance do not immediately translate to legal changes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, polygamy, while a fascinating and culturally significant practice, is a relatively rare marital arrangement globally. Its prevalence is heavily concentrated in specific regions, most notably Sub-Saharan Africa, and is intertwined with religious and customary legal systems in many parts of the world. While legal in some Muslim-majority countries, its actual practice is often limited. Historically present in various religious traditions, including Judaism and Christianity, it is now primarily associated with specific cultural and religious contexts. Attitudes towards polygamy are evolving in some societies, but legally, it remains largely prohibited in many parts of the world. Understanding what polygamy is requires acknowledging its diverse forms, geographical distribution, legal complexities, and evolving social perceptions.
