The problem with polygamy

Brooks, Thom

Abstract

Polygamy is a hotly contested practice and open to widespread misunderstandings. This practice is defined as a relationship between either one husband and multiple wives or one wife and multiple husbands. This chapter focuses on limited defenses of polygamy offered recently by Chesire Calhoun and Martha Nussbaum. It argues that these defenses are unconvincing. The problem with polygamy is primarily that it is a structurally inegalitarian practice in both theory and fact. The chapter presents evidence from several studies of polygamy that women in polygamous marriages are at a greater risk of harmful effects. It explains the Calhoun's and Nussbaum's limited defense of polygamy. The chapter offers further arguments against their defenses arising from problems associated with the contemporary practice of polygamy. It concludes that, while Calhoun and Nussbaum provide an important new series of arguments in favor of a limited defense of polygamy, this defense is not ultimately successful. Polygamy should be opposed.

Citation

Brooks, T. (2012). The problem with polygamy. In T. Brooks (Ed.), Justice and the Capabilities Approach (377-390). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315251240-9

• Online Publication Date: May 15, 2017
• Publication Date: 2012
• Deposit Date: Feb 22, 2025
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 377-390
• Book Title: Justice and the Capabilities Approach
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315251240-9
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3535063