Which is which: wife or wives?
Two main systems of marriage operate in this our world. They are the polygamous and monogamous marriages. Polygamy, also known as polygyny, is that type of marriage which permits one man to have as many wives as pleases him. In monogamy, one man is entitled to only one wife.
If the biblical story of Adam and Eve is to be believed, then the creator himself set the right standard of marriage at the very beginning – one man, one wife. One wonders why the so-called patriarchs, Abraham first on the list, later debunked this monogamous marriage and went in for other wives. If this was acceptable in the biblical days then there is no wonder polygamy has come to stay in many societies.
And if one of the ten (10) commandments ordained by the creator condemns adultery then how come a man marries one wife to begin with and then somewhere along the line he decides to go for another wife and then another and another!
Does not this practice tantamount to adultery? Why does society condemn a woman going with another man outside marriage? Does adultery apply only to women? To the extent that such women undergo harsh and shameful punishment in some cultures?
The God who condemns adultery makes it applicable to both sides –male or female. Polygamous marriages since they have been in operation for ages, seems to have their own merits and demerits. Merit wise, it gives as many women as possible the opportunity to have husbands and children.
Not many women would like to remain single and childless. Some women enter the polygamous marriage on their own accord; others are forced into it, especially young women being compelled to marry men as old as their grandfathers!
Polygamy is one area where womanhood has been most cheapened and underrated. Not all women in this type of marriage feel comfortable. More often than not there is rivalry, jealousy, feeling of rejection and frustration. And I ask: < can one man truly satisfy the sexual, emotional and financial needs of all his wives? Is he sure to be fair and just to all of them?>
In several polygamous marriages, especially in African countries, this type of marriage is more often a curse than a blessing; children are born without a thought! When the world's media talk of child abuse, child labor, child trafficking, child prostitution, street children, these are children coming from unwise polygamous marriages.
Certain polygamous men may not even know the names and faces of their children. Polygamy is one area where women, try as best as they can, can never equal nor challenge men. I cannot envisage a society where one woman marries more than one man. They call this polyandry. But where do the female prostitutes come in?
Interesting question! One woman playing on the weakness of several men; fooling them, exploiting them for money! Why do men have to pay a woman for her sexual services? The same sexual lust that drives a man to go to for more wives drives him to go to women prostitutes and pay!
While I have my reservation about polygamous marriages, I do have a case with monogamous marriages in which one man can have one wife for show and several secret concubine wives! Here again, the men are guilty of the practice. High profile government officials, respectable clergy, church leaders, ordinary men – all cannot escape the guilt.
We hear and read and see such irresponsible men day in and out on the television screens and in the print media; rarely do women in high position fall so low!
The desire to own women for sexual pleasure is bringing many troubles to the world. Many wives, many children, is the main cause of population explosion. The government that does not control the coming of children into the world without any plan is sure to bear the blame when there are no jobs and food.
Marriage is good but thoughtless marriages are bound to create more problems to society at large. Having too many wives, legal and illegal, is not necessarily a favorable way to peace and prestige.
Many great people who have advanced the course of humanity were not bogged down by too many family responsibilities.
Two main systems of marriage operate in this our world. They are the polygamous and monogamous marriages. Polygamy, also known as polygyny, is that type of marriage which permits one man to have as many wives as pleases him. In monogamy, one man is entitled to only one wife.
If the biblical story of Adam and Eve is to be believed, then the creator himself set the right standard of marriage at the very beginning – one man, one wife. One wonders why the so-called patriarchs, Abraham first on the list, later debunked this monogamous marriage and went in for other wives. If this was acceptable in the biblical days then there is no wonder polygamy has come to stay in many societies.
And if one of the ten (10) commandments ordained by the creator condemns adultery then how come a man marries one wife to begin with and then somewhere along the line he decides to go for another wife and then another and another!
Does not this practice tantamount to adultery? Why does society condemn a woman going with another man outside marriage? Does adultery apply only to women? To the extent that such women undergo harsh and shameful punishment in some cultures?
The God who condemns adultery makes it applicable to both sides –male or female. Polygamous marriages since they have been in operation for ages, seems to have their own merits and demerits. Merit wise, it gives as many women as possible the opportunity to have husbands and children.
Not many women would like to remain single and childless. Some women enter the polygamous marriage on their own accord; others are forced into it, especially young women being compelled to marry men as old as their grandfathers!
Polygamy is one area where womanhood has been most cheapened and underrated. Not all women in this type of marriage feel comfortable. More often than not there is rivalry, jealousy, feeling of rejection and frustration. And I ask: < can one man truly satisfy the sexual, emotional and financial needs of all his wives? Is he sure to be fair and just to all of them?>
In several polygamous marriages, especially in African countries, this type of marriage is more often a curse than a blessing; children are born without a thought! When the world's media talk of child abuse, child labor, child trafficking, child prostitution, street children, these are children coming from unwise polygamous marriages.
Certain polygamous men may not even know the names and faces of their children. Polygamy is one area where women, try as best as they can, can never equal nor challenge men. I cannot envisage a society where one woman marries more than one man. They call this polyandry. But where do the female prostitutes come in?
Interesting question! One woman playing on the weakness of several men; fooling them, exploiting them for money! Why do men have to pay a woman for her sexual services? The same sexual lust that drives a man to go to for more wives drives him to go to women prostitutes and pay!
While I have my reservation about polygamous marriages, I do have a case with monogamous marriages in which one man can have one wife for show and several secret concubine wives! Here again, the men are guilty of the practice. High profile government officials, respectable clergy, church leaders, ordinary men – all cannot escape the guilt.
We hear and read and see such irresponsible men day in and out on the television screens and in the print media; rarely do women in high position fall so low!
The desire to own women for sexual pleasure is bringing many troubles to the world. Many wives, many children, is the main cause of population explosion. The government that does not control the coming of children into the world without any plan is sure to bear the blame when there are no jobs and food.
Marriage is good but thoughtless marriages are bound to create more problems to society at large. Having too many wives, legal and illegal, is not necessarily a favorable way to peace and prestige.
Many great people who have advanced the course of humanity were not bogged down by too many family responsibilities.
Source...