Polygamy: Aberrations and hypocrisy
Iran’s recent attempt to strengthen polygamy relaunches the controversy on this topics and women’s rights in particular. A debate, of course, justified but which need to be developed.
On September’s 4th, Iranian government submitted a text to tolerate a man to marry a second wife or more, without the consent of his first wife. Fortunately, the text has not been adopted following the outrage that it has caused: protests from women, reformers and some senior clerics. The text has purely and simply been abolished. Thus, a man could marry a second woman only with the consent of her wife. The repeal represents an important victory for women regard of their dignity as far as it exists.
Origins of an aberration
The word polygamy group two terrible notions: polygyny (a man having several wives) and polyandry that is the reverse process. Beyond the terminology, polygamy is mainly a religious matter. It has always been the adage of kings (Babylonian kings, Pharaohs…) Having several wives was considered as the sign of wealth and power. Some suras of the Koran allow the practise. The Bible relates several case of polygamy: Lamech had two women, Abraham under the Levirate law (possibility for a childless women whose husband died to marry the next of king of the decease) or adoption (possibility of taking another women to posterity while your wife is sterile). Jacob had four women, two legitimate and two maids. David and Salomon has had several women… Judaism defines polygamy as an ideal, having a large offspring is a sign of blessing. However, Jesus and the prophets have never preached for polygamy but more for monogamy. The Book of Wisdom states: “Wanting another woman than his own in his heart is already an adultery”. However, elective memory or reading seems to be a human being matter. How can we think that such an aberration is divine? It is important to remember that when we are talking about polygamy, in most case we should have said polygyny. Believer or not, we well know that exegesis has always been subject to enormous abuse.
Women’s rights
Polygyny (a man having several wives) is 80% of polygamy against 1% for polyandry. Polygamy is largely a matter of man. In fact, it will be accurate to talk about polygyny. Matriarchal societies and polyandry have been and are very widespread. Going that way, some societies boasts about being modern are basically backwards. Women are just considered as maids and to meet their male Cro-Magnon desire. On the other hand, experience the feeling of being a pawn on the chessboard of this player or a maid is not a way to improve the image of women in itself. Being the second or fourth wheel of the coach is simply humiliating. Women’s rights are trampled. People’s flowering depends on their fulfilment. How can we think that women are happy while they are restricted in their efforts to be? Women have rights as define by the law but they are only piece of writing. Individual freedom, property rights and right of education. In some countries, these concepts are more utopia than real rights. The feminist revolution that took place in Europe and around the world, can be understand in some of these facts. This assertion mustn’t be considered as a support for a feminist speech or idea. Even women want to blossom they shouldn’t give up some of their intrinsic gifts such as procreation. This includes finding a balance in all these wanderings.
The Western hypocrisy
Western women’s living condition seems to be better. Indeed, our monogamous society forbids polygamy. Moreover, the divorce that some considered as another type of polygamy, can rules the relationship. Is it a way to admit that we are not able to focus on one person for life? I guess is the real issue. At the same time, women want to act as men and the marital debauchery and the lack of structures (free unions, …) that results is a matter of facts. Infidelity is more than ever a norm is our society. The divorce is a way for women to keep their dignity. She can break the relation if her husband and her don’t go the same way.
Criticize polygamy is of course justified but the Westerns should better look more closely their lifestyle and they will see the ugliness and pernicious side of their society.