Polygamy
With shows like “Big Love,” “Sister Wives”, and “My Five Wives,” people’s perception on polygamy has slowly warmed. With the recent legislation in Utah, polygamy is no longer against the law. Still, these families are not recognized by the state government, but they can share federal benefits.
I am not Mormon; I am a very liberal Methodist, and I have no ideas on joining any polygamy marriage (well, no one has asked me either, to be fair). Rather, polygamy interests me, it’s so different that the traditional family structure I am used to. I am currently reading a book about the capture of the Fundamental Ladder Day Saint’s (FLDS) leader, Warren Jeff’s. Jeffs was on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Criminals in 2008 and 2009. He had so many wives, and it was rumored he had over 100 wives in multiple states, which is why the search for him was so difficult. He was later captured and charged with two-felony charges for the rape of a child, and aiding a rape of a child (he arranged child brides for his buddies). He was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole, plus 20 years. Multiple young boys have also reported he raped them from 4-9 years old.
With the all the attention on Jeffs, I wonder, what laws protect the women who do not want to participate in polygamy, but is fearful to go to the authorities, because polygamy was until recently against the law. The recent legislation which decriminalizes polygamy is a good start. Many women are scared to go to the police to report abuse because they are taught from a young age that police will break-up families, and take the kids away from their mothers. This could cause any woman to think twice before reporting abuse.
Traditionally, common law marriages aim to protect a woman’s rights if the man lives under the same roof with his girlfriend for 7 years. The government does this to protect a woman who has played a role as wife for a long time, and that should be recognized, and given certain rights. Depending on the state, a man cannot just kick his girlfriend to the curb after 7 years. If he is the breadwinner, she can be entitled to alimony, health benefits, and she may even get a portion of his retirement.
If polygamy were legal, these women could not claim single mother when applying for food stamps or welfare. They would also have right to children, and could claim domestic abuse if their husbands abuse them. They could claim married on taxes, and could ensure the whole family has health insurance, not Medicare.
To legally recognize polygamous marriage, is a daunting task that could become a logistical nightmare. However, it would prevent food stamp and welfare fraud, and would protect a woman’s rights. These men would not be able to leave their spiritual wife high and dry. By passing legislation that decriminalizes polygamy is a good first-step.
, Should Polygamy Be Legal? www.ozeldersin.com bitirme tezi,ödev,proje dönem ödevi