# I've decided polygamy is an excellent way to raise a family **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 15, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218 "2010-10-15T05:53:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/161 "2010-10-16T02:25:50Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > > [@Stoid](#): > > > > But I’m not going to turn this thread into The Dio Show, the plot of which is very familiar to most of us > > As opposed to “The **Stoid** Show”, which is mostly about La La La…I’m right, even though the evidence shows the opposite. > (We’ve seen this before, time and time again, so don’t be so quick to throw stones, **Stoid** ) I don’t know what you think I’ve asserted that I’m right about in spite of evidence. I haven’t discounted evidence that repressive, patriarchal religious fanatics are fucked up, they are. But no one has shown any evidence that the _reason_ they are fucked up is because they practice plural marriage. I’m not even sure anyone has even tried to assert that, they’ve simply trotted out examples of how fucked up these societies are and left it to the readers to conclude “people + plural marriage = fucked up repressive fanatics that repress women and rape girls” and variations on that theme. Most people have grudgingly allowed that there might be a few scattered souls in the world who can pull it off before rushing back to pointing out how fucked up the repressive religious fanatics are, and that’s all I’ve said. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/162 "2010-10-16T02:36:26Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > I don’t disagree with the above, but I will say this. While these women did not obviously come to _me_ in pain and confusion, I think they clearly put their pain and confusion on public display on their reality TV show. This I think gives the rest of us license to say look, I don’t think this seems right to me. I don’t think that you are necessarily wrong in that polygamy can be a choice that can potentially make someone happy. I get that the choices I make aren’t right for everyone. But I do object to your characterization of this particular family as evidence of that. If you have a better example to prove your point, I’d love to see it. > > Also, I think that I have a right to my belief that there are some actions that are bad for womankind (or humankind, for that matter). I will not deny anyone their right to individual autonomy, but I don’t have to agree with those choices or think that they are right. Well, my exposure to this family thus far convinces me that they are perfectly acceptable examples of people for whom this lifestyle works, and the fact that they are unhappy sometimes won’t dissuade me…if they weren’t I’d be much more suspicious of them, since I don’t know of ANY relationship that is just peachy in every respect all the time. If they aren’t convincing for you, that’s fine…at least you allow for the fact that someone somewhere is happily “plural”. And you have a right to ALL your beliefs, whatever they are! In my case, I don’t believe that anyone’s individual life choices are ever bad for all “kind”, whatever their sex. Which actually comes around to the whole “politcially correct” issue: lots of women seem to be of the opinion that other women’s choices to volunteer to be sexual objects (Playboy, porn, stripping, whatever) undermines their choice not to be, because (if I recall the reasoning correctly) if men are exposed to some women who are sex objects, they will be led to the belief that they can treat all women as sex objects, therefore it is incumbent upon all women to refrain from volunteering in order to protect the women who do not wish to be seen or treated as sex objects. This is an example of what I consider a steaming pile of horseshit that I refuse to support. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/163 "2010-10-16T02:37:53Z")
[quote=“DiosaBellissima, post:155, topic:557218”] > [@Stoid](#): > > since they are clearly unhappy, the husband is clearly an unlikable, arrogant douche, and the kids are being used as pawns in this whole game. From what I know at this point, I disagree that there’s anything clear about your conclusions. I’ll check back after I watch. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/164 "2010-10-16T02:40:10Z")
[quote=“Sarahfeena, post:158, topic:557218”] > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I think ultimately the thing that puts me off to them is that the women seem to be in emotional upheaval all the time, but he seems weirdly detached from it. Like, he looks sympathetic, but in a way like he doesn’t realize that he’s the one causing the distress. It’s kind of creepy. Kinda sounds like the human condition to me! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/165 "2010-10-16T02:43:04Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > From what I know at this point, I disagree that there’s anything clear about your conclusions. > > I’ll check back after I watch. Yeah, but again: you haven’t watched the show. I’ll agree that he didn’t seem like a dick on Oprah,but the key here is that _you haven’t watched their show_. If you _haven’t watched their show_, you really can’t speak to the good or bad of their relationship. Not that I’m pretending the show is the end all, be all reality of it all- but it paints a much broader picture than the hour on Oprah did. You would know this _if you watched the show_. When you do, report back with your findings. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/166 "2010-10-16T02:45:05Z")
[quote=“Guinastasia, post:159, topic:557218”] > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Again, if someone gives her power away, and is able to take it back, then she never really gave it away in the first place, did she? Giving away one’s power is not binary. We all do it throughout our lives to varying degrees with different people in different situations, and we give it and take it back in a fairly constant exchange. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/167 "2010-10-16T02:46:32Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > > [@Sarahfeena](#): > > > > I don’t disagree with the above, but I will say this. While these women did not obviously come to _me_ in pain and confusion, I think they clearly put their pain and confusion on public display on their reality TV show. This I think gives the rest of us license to say look, I don’t think this seems right to me. I don’t think that you are necessarily wrong in that polygamy can be a choice that can potentially make someone happy. I get that the choices I make aren’t right for everyone. But I do object to your characterization of this particular family as evidence of that. If you have a better example to prove your point, I’d love to see it. > > > > Also, I think that I have a right to my belief that there are some actions that are bad for womankind (or humankind, for that matter). I will not deny anyone their right to individual autonomy, but I don’t have to agree with those choices or think that they are right. > > Well, my exposure to this family thus far convinces me that they are perfectly acceptable examples of people for whom this lifestyle works, and the fact that they are unhappy sometimes won’t dissuade me…if they weren’t I’d be much more suspicious of them, since I don’t know of ANY relationship that is just peachy in every respect all the time. If they aren’t convincing for you, that’s fine…at least you allow for the fact that someone somewhere is happily “plural”. > > And you have a right to ALL your beliefs, whatever they are! > > In my case, I don’t believe that anyone’s individual life choices are ever bad for all “kind”, whatever their sex. Which actually comes around to the whole “politcially correct” issue: lots of women seem to be of the opinion that other women’s choices to volunteer to be sexual objects (Playboy, porn, stripping, whatever) undermines their choice not to be, because (if I recall the reasoning correctly) if men are exposed to some women who are sex objects, they will be led to the belief that they can treat all women as sex objects, therefore it is incumbent upon all women to refrain from volunteering in order to protect the women who do not wish to be seen or treated as sex objects. > > This is an example of what I consider a steaming pile of horseshit that I refuse to support. I think it can’t be denied that individual life choices can be bad for all “kind.” For instance, the more women who bail on careers to have children, the fewer women there are in positions of power and influence, the more the perception of the public is that women don’t _care_ about careers, don’t deserve promotions, are likely to have children and quit, etc. You can argue tough shit, an individual’s personal choice ultimately trumps societal concerns, but to say that there’s no negative effect is simply wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Peeta\_Mellark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Peeta\_Mellark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peeta_Mellark)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/168 "2010-10-16T02:52:48Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Giving away one’s power is not binary. We all do it throughout our lives to varying degrees with different people in different situations, and we give it and take it back **in a fairly constant exchange**. Bolding mine. It’s the “exchange” part that’s missing in the relationship in question. It’s all one way. Power is given to him. It doesn’t go back to the wives. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/169 "2010-10-16T02:58:03Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > [@Guinastasia](#): > > > > What’s the saying about being so open-minded that your brain falls out? > > Sounds like something closed-minded people say. > > In my opinion, a woman has every right to make any choices she chooses. If she wants to sleep around, if she wants to marry a man with many wives, if she wants to ‘give’ her power away, if she wants to ‘take’ it back, it is her choice and she owes no one any explanation. > > Just like if a man wants to come home from work, take off his suit, put on a rubber leotard and ball gag and bow before his mistress for hours on end, it is his own decision and not a commentary on the position of all men in our society. > > I don’t know for sure what to think of the show. I know the guy is weirdly yucky to me somehow, but the women don’t seem any unhappier than literally dozens of wives I know in tradional marriages. The first wife seems especially strong minded, outspoken and perfectly capable of making her own decisions. The fact that they struggle and have emotional challenges doesn’t convince me that their family hasn’t worked or won’t work. But I really have to admit that I’m not sure what I think about that family, and I’m biased because I don’t understand the whole religious thing and how that affects the decision making process for the women, and I am turned off by the whole religion thing altogether. I think it’s a little disingenuous to say that these brainwashed automotons are “making their own choice” when they’ve been religiously programmed to think it’s the only moral choice, but even if they were making some kind of informed, feminist choice to be servants of this slimeball, the issue was not about what women should be allowed to choose. I dn’t give a fuck what women choose. The issue was about whether it’s a good environment for **raising children**. Obviously it’s nothing close. you don’t teach children that women are not equal to men. Period. Most married people report self-report being happy with monogamy, by the way, so enough of this canard that monogamous people are miserable. That’s complete bullshit. When they’re unhappy, it isn’t because they’re monogomous, but because they’re monogomous with the wrong person. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/170 "2010-10-16T03:00:26Z")
> [@Peeta\_Mellark](#): > > > [@Stoid](#): > > > > Giving away one’s power is not binary. We all do it throughout our lives to varying degrees with different people in different situations, and we give it and take it back **in a fairly constant exchange**. > > Bolding mine. > > It’s the “exchange” part that’s missing in the relationship in question. It’s all one way. Power is given to him. It doesn’t go back to the wives. …which she’d know, _if she actually watched the show_ before holding these people up as some ideal standard. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/171 "2010-10-16T03:02:45Z")
Yeah, I can’t disagree with **Diogenes** on the raising kids thing. Somewhere in this thread I said that I think it’s complete BS to raise children in a house where women are second-class citizens, and considering that’s the main point of the OP, I think I should stress this point as well. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/172 "2010-10-16T03:09:27Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > [I think it’s a little disingenuous to say that these brainwashed automotons are “making their own choice” when they’ve been religiously programmed to think it’s the only moral choice, but even if they were making some kind of informed, feminist choice to be servants of this slimeball, the issue was not about what women should be allowed to choose. I dn’t give a fuck what women choose. The issue was about whether it’s a good environment for **raising children**. Obviously it’s nothing close. you don’t teach children that women are not equal to men. Period. > Most married people report self-report being happy with monogamy, by the way, so enough of this canard that monogamous people are miserable. That’s complete bullshit. When they’re unhappy, it isn’t because they’re monogomous, but because they’re monogomous with the wrong person. Oh! Ok. You have a problem with _religion_, since it teaches children that women are not equal to men. I got you now. Makes sense, I have a problem with religion too. All sarcasm aside, I completely agree that the religion aspect makes it hard to tell if these women are brainwashed or not. So I can’t really speak on the show. But, if some women decided, outside of any god reasons, to marry a man with many wives, I wouldn’t knock it. The married people I know ‘self report’ to me that they are fucking miserable a whole lot of the time. Sorry. Just my own personal experience with a lot of married folks I know who are in traditional marriages. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/173 "2010-10-16T03:18:16Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > > [I think it’s a little disingenuous to say that these brainwashed automotons are “making their own choice” when they’ve been religiously programmed to think it’s the only moral choice, but even if they were making some kind of informed, feminist choice to be servants of this slimeball, the issue was not about what women should be allowed to choose. I dn’t give a fuck what women choose. The issue was about whether it’s a good environment for **raising children**. Obviously it’s nothing close. you don’t teach children that women are not equal to men. Period. > > Most married people report self-report being happy with monogamy, by the way, so enough of this canard that monogamous people are miserable. That’s complete bullshit. When they’re unhappy, it isn’t because they’re monogomous, but because they’re monogomous with the wrong person. > > Oh! Ok. You have a problem with _religion_, since it teaches children that women are not equal to men. I got you now. Makes sense, I have a problem with religion too. > > All sarcasm aside, I completely agree that the religion aspect makes it hard to tell if these women are brainwashed or not. So I can’t really speak on the show. But, if some women decided, outside of any god reasons, to marry a man with many wives, I wouldn’t knock it. The married people I know ‘self report’ to me that they are fucking miserable a whole lot of the time. Sorry. Just my own personal experience with a lot of married folks I know who are in traditional marriages. I do not have a problm with religion. My wife is religious. I send my kids to a catholic school. Religion _per se_, is not my objection. My objection is raising children in an environment where women don’t have the same rights as men. _These particular women_ have been brainwashed since birth _by a particular religion_ to believe that they have a duty to be slaves to men. This makes the assertion that their choice is informed more than a little suspect, but my real issue is with them coninuing to pass on that cycle of brainwashing to their own kids. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/174 "2010-10-16T03:20:46Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > > Oh! Ok. You have a problem with _religion_, since it teaches children that women are not equal to men. I got you now. Makes sense, I have a problem with religion too. > > > > All sarcasm aside, I completely agree that the religion aspect makes it hard to tell if these women are brainwashed or not. So I can’t really speak on the show. But, if some women decided, outside of any god reasons, to marry a man with many wives, I wouldn’t knock it. The married people I know ‘self report’ to me that they are fucking miserable a whole lot of the time. Sorry. Just my own personal experience with a lot of married folks I know who are in traditional marriages. > > I do not have a problm with religion. My wife is religious. I send my kids to a catholic school. Religion _per se_, is not my objection. My objection is raising children in an environment where women don’t have the same rights as men. _These particular women_ have been brainwashed since birth _by a particular religion_ to believe that they have a duty to be slaves to men. This makes the assertion that their choice is informed more than a little suspect, but my real issue is with them coninuing to pass on that cycle of brainwashing to their own kids. And honest to pete, if it’s _not_ brainwashing, and they’re _choosing_ to model this to their kids, that’s even worse. ---
**Author:** ![Peeta\_Mellark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Peeta\_Mellark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peeta_Mellark)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/175 "2010-10-16T03:22:01Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > Yeah, I can’t disagree with **Diogenes** on the raising kids thing. Somewhere in this thread I said that I think it’s complete BS to raise children in a house where women are second-class citizens, and considering that’s the main point of the OP, I think I should stress this point as well. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I do not have a problm with religion. My wife is religious. I send my kids to a catholic school. Religion _per se_, is not my objection. My objection is raising children in an environment where women don’t have the same rights as men. _These particular women_ have been brainwashed since birth _by a particular religion_ to believe that they have a duty to be slaves to men. This makes the assertion that their choice is informed more than a little suspect, but my real issue is with them coninuing to pass on that cycle of brainwashing to their own kids. Yeah, I just can’t stress enough that _this particular family_, in _this particular religion_, is raising their children with the idea that women are second-class citizens by God’s own decree. This isn’t a general statement on religion or non-monogamous arrangements or anything else. These people that **Stoid** has held up as examples of a fine system for parenting have a very, very unhealthy environment for their children. Which is obvious once you get past the first episode of the show. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/176 "2010-10-16T03:23:05Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I do not have a problm with religion. My wife is religious. I send my kids to a catholic school. Religion _per se_, is not my objection. My objection is raising children in an environment where women don’t have the same rights as men. _These particular women_ have been brainwashed since birth _by a particular religion_ to believe that they have a duty to be slaves to men. This makes the assertion that their choice is informed more than a little suspect, but my real issue is with them coninuing to pass on that cycle of brainwashing to their own kids. Understood. I shouldn’t come off as if I have this all figured out. I have been watching the show with interest, trying to work out my opinions about it. I do know that as of now, \*I strongly believe in a grown woman being able to think her way through her own decisions, \*and I do strongly believe that many non traditional families including polygamy can work out. But I am fuzzy as hell on this show and am still learning and watching and reading and wondering. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/177 "2010-10-16T03:28:48Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > > [@Enderw24](#): > > > > Then why are you using TLC’s show as an example to support your hypothesis? > > I haven’t used the TLC show as an example of anything. You must have me confused with someone else. Well on page one you said: > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Yoiu think that why? Because you saw it on a reality show? reality shows are fake. And then followed it up with this: > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > _Big Love_ is fiction – a reprehensible, unrealistic attempt to whitewash and sanitize white slavery. The women on the TLC show are not in an equitable relationship. They are subservient to a male authority without the same rights as the man. Why is that something you would want to see modeled for little girls? If your contention is that it’s fake and that we shouldn’t use those shows to prove a point, then you can’t turn around use those shows to prove a point. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/178 "2010-10-16T03:59:19Z")
I didn’t. I was responding to someone else who tried to hold it up as an examplar. I was _rebutting_ it as an example, not trying to use it myself. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/179 "2010-10-16T04:03:59Z")
[quote=“Diogenes\_the\_Cynic, post:169, topic:557218”] > [@](#): > > I think it’s a little disingenuous to say that these brainwashed automotons are “making their own choice” when they’ve been religiously programmed to think it’s the only moral choice, Jsut so we’re clear…all religious teaching is programming that takes away the ability to think for oneself, right? If not, please clarify why THESE particular women, all four of them, have been brainwashed into this thinking. Did you ever come up with any cites for all the things you know for sure about these people, by the way? > [@](#): > > you don’t teach children that women are not equal to men. Period. 1. Is that what they’re teaching them? Do you know that’s true, or are you assuming? And if this is the standard for what makes a good environment, I think we need to staff up children’s services and start raiding tens of thousands…millions of homes where it’s taught that men rule and women serve, with no polygamy anywhere in sight. > [@](#): > > enough of this canard that monogamous people are miserable. That’s complete bullshit. When they’re unhappy, it isn’t because they’re monogomous, . You are mixing and matching and getting very confused. Boatloads of people in monogamous relationships are, in fact, miserable. And absolutely no one (that I saw, please point it out if I missed it) in this thread has _even come close_ to asserting that monogamy is cause for the misery. Just the slightest bit of careful attention would prevent a lot of this sort of error… And I’m looking forward to seeing all the misery in this show, and seeing how much of it is plainly peculiar to the plural marriage aspect of these people’s lives, vs. garden-variety relationship crap that just happens to be multiplied. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218/180 "2010-10-16T04:27:32Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > 1. Is that what they’re teaching them? Do you know that’s true, or are you assuming? On the show (which you have yet to watch), the family (which you have held up as the model for this discussion) sure comes across that way. The folks who have watched the show in this thread all seem to generally be in agreement with that point. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-decided-polygamy-is-an-excellent-way-to-raise-a-family/557218.md?page=10)