A plural family is a family with multiple wives and/or husbands or partners, often associated with some Mormon sects and segments of the Muslim community. Plural marriage can be religious or secular, with proponents arguing it can be supportive and productive while opponents argue it can be exploitative and lead to abuse.
A plural family is a family in which the parents practice some form of polygamy or polyamory, meaning that the family includes multiple wives and/or husbands or partners. Most commonly, the plural marriage that forms the nucleus of a plural family is polygamous, where a man is married to multiple wives. Plural families are particularly associated with some Mormon sects and also with some segments of the Muslim community, although a plural family does not necessarily have to be connected to a specific religion or culture.
In the case of a plural religious family, the plural marriage that forms the foundation of the family is established because the parents believe in plural marriage as an important aspect of their religious faith. Some people believe that their religion requires them to take multiple spouses or participate in plural marriage. In regions of the world where polygamy is illegal or frowned upon, people who practice polygamy as part of their religious culture can experience considerable prejudice, and the head of household can be jailed for polygamy in regions where it is illegal.
In a secular plural family, people simply come together in plural marriage because it seems natural, pleasurable, or beneficial to them. This type of plural marriage is less likely to be specifically polygamous; it may include a multitude of wives and husbands, for example, or it may be polyandrous, with a single female head of household including many husbands.
Proponents of the plural family argue that it can be incredibly supportive and productive for all family members, as parents come together to help each other financially support the family and raise the children. In many plural families, it is common to see large numbers of children, and the cooperation of sisters, husbands, or partners in marriage can keep the home running smoothly. When fully consenting adults come together to build a plural family, advocates feel this should not be reflexively condemned.
Opponents of plural families argue that it can be demeaning or exploitative, specifically pointing to instances where plural marriages have covered up the abuse and coercion of young women. In the case of plural religious marriage, some members of conservative sects may feel pressured to build a plural family, rather than deciding to do it themselves, and this can lead to stress, conflict and eventual unhappiness. Plural marriage can also lead to a shortage of available wives and a phenomenon also known as “lost boys,” in which men are pushed out of conservative sects that promote the plural family out of concern that there won’t be enough wives for everyone.
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