Job Discussion Forums

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

I'm watching a very interesting tv show on National Geographic. Men and women from some African countries are talking about the benefits of men marrying more than one wife. As the women say, it's a really good idea as there is another women there to take care of the man if she has to go away for travel for instance.
Of course the muslim nations are all in the favour of it too.
So where do you think is the best country for an EFL teacher to go who really wants to get in touch with this particular culture?

Oh and lets not be cultural relativists about this.

thelmadatter · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:20 pm Post subject: wives

Looking for something, are we?

Personally, Ive always been intrigued about having more than one husband - but only for one night Laughing

willie wonka · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 10

I am not that familiar with countries which practice polygamy but Saudi Arabia springs to mind. Failing that you could always try Utah!
Rolling Eyes

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

WYSIWYG · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:44 pm Post subject:

Wow.....don't know if I could handle "you don't need another beer, you've already had 4" in stereo. Shocked

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Austrian Joseph ROTH spent years with the Naxi, aka Nakhi, in Lijiang, China, and claimed they were matriarchs. I don't know where polygamy comes into the pciture - maybe not at all - but polygamy involving one woman with sevberal men does occur in Tibet and in parts of China, including a minority living in Lugu, Yunnan province. The women own the houses, so men have to live outside their womenfolk's homes. Women seem to be pretty promiscuous, but maybe this is wishful thinking...
As for Tibetans, one woman often has her husband's breother as a stand-in when her legitimate partner is absent or dead.

poro · Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 274

bdawg · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 526 Location: Nanjing

yup, Bountiful B.C (Kootney Region, Southeastern British Columbia)

Conflicting reports all the time. No one is denying the presence of polygamous relationships; however, there is controversy over alleged abuses. I don't think anyone is exactly sure what is happening there.

valley_girl · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:18 pm Post subject:

How anyone could put up with more than one spouse is beyond me... Laughing

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: Polygamy in Utah

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

In most cases of bigamy the two wives only meet up at the funeral.

thelmadatter · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:30 pm Post subject: polygamy

Chris you are right about it being illegal in Utah. I believe reference to it was make in Utah's state constitution and it was a prerequisite for joining the Union. The mainstream Mormon church also rules that it is not valid (or should I say no longer valid). However, there are splinter Mormon groups that never acccepted the Mormon churches "backing down" on the matter and formed some very tight-knit almost xenophobic (if the term applies, cant think of a better one) communities not only in Utah but in parts of Arizona as well ( I used to live in AZ, so the issue comes up there to from time to time).

I have no problem with a polygamous relationship if all members of the family are equal. Problem is, I have not seen evidence of such marriages where the man somehow didn't have more "right" or "status" than the woman. It may exist, but somehow I suspect it would be quite rare...

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy