HBO’s hit series “Big Love” ended its five-season run last week. For those of you who didn’t watch this thought-provoking drama, the series revolves around a man and his three wives; it eventually follows him through his climb up the political latter. In the last couple episodes, he proposes a bill legalizing polygamy. At first, this suggestion seems absolutely terrible, but after viewing numerous documentaries surrounding the concept of polygamy, it didn’t seem so outrageous.
Much of the controversy surrounding polygamy, including testimonies from those once a part of the culture, involve underage marriages, boys being pushed out of the compounds and the brainwashing of the individuals raised in polygamist families.
While I am not personally a fan of polygamy or a believer of the principle, I don’t think it is the country’s job to condemn those who have a strong belief in the concept Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, said God told him to follow. Many of the people who engage in polygamy do so on the basis of their faith. TLC’s “Sister Wives” follows a real family, as opposed to “Big Love”‘s fictional polygamist family. If you listen to the family’s interviews, the members came from different walks of life, but they all share the belief that polygamy is what God wants for them.
If polygamy were legalized, the marriages could be legalized and monitored, especially regarding age and tax forms. Many plural wives, since not legally declared spouses of their husbands, don’t declare their husband’s income on their taxes and are therefore eligible for government-funded programs. Also, the compounds could be monitored instead of trembling in isolation away from the government’s eye. The government could then use that as an opportunity to ensure children in compounds or polygamist families receive proper education and know there is life beyond polygamy, even if that is not the life they choose.
In healthy polygamist families, the plural marriage doesn’t harm anyone. That is the way they choose to live, and most importantly, that is what they believe. It is no one’s position to declare their belief inadequate when no one is being hurt, and the legalization could ensure better programs to prevent potential harm or illegal activity.
Although the Mormon church no longer endorses polygamy, there is no lack in historical evidence that Joseph Smith himself had more than one wife. It’s no wonder many who once followed the Mormon church separated from the church when the church declared it did not support polygamy.
However, it is unfair to punish those who strongly believe Joseph Smith was a prophet and the principle of polygamy is vital to their lives.
Legalizing polygamy wouldn’t mean everyone believes its merits, but it would most importantly let the government monitor the culture and let those who need help know its available. The legalization’s primary purpose would not be to defend the practice, but to protect and serve the U.S. citizens who take part in it.
Wendy Morell is the opinion editor of The Reflector. She can be contacted at
[email protected].