Polygamy in Islamic Law - Revision history

Lightyears at 22:35, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T22:35:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:35, 20 March 2026
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	==Islamic Defense of Polygamy==		==Islamic Defense of Polygamy==
	Muslim scholars often claim that the reason why Allah allowed men to marry four wives is that men are killed in battle, resulting in women outnumbering men. They also claim that the practice of polygyny curbs adultery, leading to happier marriages and fewer divorces. Nevertheless, world population and birth statistics today indicate a global male surplus.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/xx.html#People Global Population Statistics] - CIA.gov</ref>		Muslim scholars often claim that the reason why Allah allowed men to marry four wives is that men are killed in battle, resulting in women outnumbering men. They also claim that the practice of polygyny curbs adultery, leading to happier marriages and fewer divorces. Nevertheless, world population and birth statistics today indicate a global male surplus.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/xx.html#People Global Population Statistics] - CIA.gov</ref>

			==Divorce rights in the event of polygamy==
			Under the Hanbali school alone, women may stipulate conditions in the marriage contract to grant greater freedom of movement or to have the marriage dissolved if her husband takes an additional wife.<ref>John L. Eposito, "Women in Muslim Family Law", Second edition, 2001, p. 22</ref> Such stipulations are unenforcable according to the Hanafi, Shafi'i, and Maliki schools on the basis that they cannot overide his Quranic rights.<ref>Kecia Ali, ''Marriage and Slavery in early Islam'', Harvard University Pross, 2010, p. 74 and ftn. 31 on p. 220</ref> All schools agree though that he may delegate to his wife his powerful, Quranic ''talaq'' (divorce) rights at any time. This is called ''talaq al-tafwid'', and can be conditional such as in the event that he takes another wife (the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools allow him to later revoke this delegation).<ref>Muhammad Ifzal Mehmood (2019) ''[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338688656_A_Study_of_Talaq_Al-Tafwid_in_Islamic_Law_and_Contemporary_Legislations_Should_Malaysia_Follow_Suit A Study of Talaq Al-Tafwid in Islamic Law and Contemporary Legislations: Should Malaysia Follow Suit?]'', Bahria University</ref> In most cases such a stipulation or delegation will not have been agreed ahead of the marriage, though an increasing number of countries in the Muslim world have made reforms to family law to limit polygamy or provide other legal routes for the first wife to seek divorce. Otherwise the husband's rights are automatic.

	==External Links==		==External Links==

Zhothaqquah at 22:44, 22 November 2025

2025-11-22T22:44:26Z

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	{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=1\|Content=1\|Language=3\|References=2}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=1\|Structure=1\|Content=1\|Language=4\|References=2}}

	==Muhammad and Polygamy==		==Muhammad and Polygamy==

Zhothaqquah: Revised language and removed argumentative material

2025-11-22T22:44:08Z

Revised language and removed argumentative material

Show changes

Lightyears at 21:03, 12 November 2025

2025-11-12T21:03:30Z

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	According to traditional sources, [[Muhammad]] practiced polygamy. Besides the numerous concubines, he married fifteen women and consummated his marriages with thirteen.<ref>al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-127</ref> According to Tabari he was also accused of being a "womanizer".<ref>"....''Layla’s people said, "’What a bad thing you have done! You are a self-respecting woman, but the Prophet is a womanizer. Seek an annulment from him.’ She went back to the Prophet and asked him to revoke the marriage and he complied with [her request]''...." - al Tabari vol.9 p.139</ref> He was also attributed the sexual prowess of many men:		According to traditional sources, [[Muhammad]] practiced polygamy. Besides the numerous concubines, he married fifteen women and consummated his marriages with thirteen.<ref>al-Tabari vol.9 p.126-127</ref> According to Tabari he was also accused of being a "womanizer".<ref>"....''Layla’s people said, "’What a bad thing you have done! You are a self-respecting woman, but the Prophet is a womanizer. Seek an annulment from him.’ She went back to the Prophet and asked him to revoke the marriage and he complied with [her request]''...." - al Tabari vol.9 p.139</ref> He was also attributed the sexual prowess of many men:
	{{Quote\|{{Bukhari\|1\|5\|268\|}}\|Narrated Qatada: Anas bin Malik said, "The Prophet used to visit all his wives in a round, during the day and night '''and they were eleven in number.'''" I asked Anas, "Had the Prophet the strength for it?" Anas replied, "We used to say that the Prophet was given the strength of thirty (men)." And Sa'id said on the authority of Qatada that Anas had told him about nine wives only (not eleven).}}		{{Quote\|{{Bukhari\|\|\|268\|darussalam}}\|Narrated Qatada: Anas bin Malik said, "The Prophet used to visit all his wives in a round, during the day and night '''and they were eleven in number.'''" I asked Anas, "Had the Prophet the strength for it?" Anas replied, "We used to say that the Prophet was given the strength of thirty (men)." And Sa'id said on the authority of Qatada that Anas had told him about nine wives only (not eleven).}}

	==Reasons for Muhammad's Marriages==		==Reasons for Muhammad's Marriages==

Lightyears: Automated script replacing USC-MSA hadith numbering system for Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud

2025-11-12T21:02:46Z

Automated script replacing USC-MSA hadith numbering system for Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:02, 12 November 2025
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	==Reasons for Muhammad's Marriages==		==Reasons for Muhammad's Marriages==

	Islamic scholarship gives the care of widows and poor woman as a societal reason for polygynous marriages. Yet Many of Muhammad's wives were not poor or widows. In fact, one of his wives (Muhammad's cousin, Zainab bint Jash) was originally the wife of his step-son Zaid bin Haritha. As was the case with [[Safiyah\|Safiyah bint Huyayy]], the traditional sources indicate that many of his marriages were the results of Muhammad's desire, not compassion for widows or poor women. This is nowhere more evident than in his numerous divorces, which numbered six in total. For example; he divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid on their wedding night,<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|p. 139}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 187-188}}.</ref> due to her suffering from [[leprosy]].<ref>Ibn Ishaq, cited in Guillaume, A. (1960). ''New Light on the Life of Muhammad'', p. 55. Manchester: Manchester University Press</ref><ref>Ibn Hisham note 918 (here he has apparently confused her with Asma bint Al-Numan).</ref><ref>Bewley/Saad 8:100-101.</ref><ref> Women in Islam, By Anne Sofie Roald - Page 221 [Quoted: Najla Hamadeh, Page 335-6]</ref> He also divorced a women named Ghaziyyah bint Jabir when he realized that she was 'old'.<ref>al-Tabari vol.9 p.139</ref> Yet Muhammad refused to allow Ali bin Abu Talib (the husband of his daughter Fatima) to take even a second wife because "what hurts her, hurts me."<ref>{{Bukhari\|7\|62\|~~157~~}}</ref><ref>''"An indication of their special relationship is found in the fact that Ali never married another woman as long as Fatima was alive. Sunni sources explain this curiosity in a tradition in which Ali asks for Abu Jahl's daughter in marriage, but the Prophet does not allow him to marry her because it would upset Fatimah."'' - "The Image of Fatima in Classical Muslim Thought," Denise L. Soufi, PhD dissertation, Princeton, 1997, p. 51-52</ref> This seems to indicate that at least for his own daughter he thought that polygyny hurt women, but would not take this fact into account with regard to his own marriages.		Islamic scholarship gives the care of widows and poor woman as a societal reason for polygynous marriages. Yet Many of Muhammad's wives were not poor or widows. In fact, one of his wives (Muhammad's cousin, Zainab bint Jash) was originally the wife of his step-son Zaid bin Haritha. As was the case with [[Safiyah\|Safiyah bint Huyayy]], the traditional sources indicate that many of his marriages were the results of Muhammad's desire, not compassion for widows or poor women. This is nowhere more evident than in his numerous divorces, which numbered six in total. For example; he divorced ‘Amrah bint Yazid on their wedding night,<ref>{{Tabari\|9\|p. 139}}; {{Tabari\|39\|pp. 187-188}}.</ref> due to her suffering from [[leprosy]].<ref>Ibn Ishaq, cited in Guillaume, A. (1960). ''New Light on the Life of Muhammad'', p. 55. Manchester: Manchester University Press</ref><ref>Ibn Hisham note 918 (here he has apparently confused her with Asma bint Al-Numan).</ref><ref>Bewley/Saad 8:100-101.</ref><ref> Women in Islam, By Anne Sofie Roald - Page 221 [Quoted: Najla Hamadeh, Page 335-6]</ref> He also divorced a women named Ghaziyyah bint Jabir when he realized that she was 'old'.<ref>al-Tabari vol.9 p.139</ref> Yet Muhammad refused to allow Ali bin Abu Talib (the husband of his daughter Fatima) to take even a second wife because "what hurts her, hurts me."<ref>{{Bukhari\|\|\|5230\|darussalam}}</ref><ref>''"An indication of their special relationship is found in the fact that Ali never married another woman as long as Fatima was alive. Sunni sources explain this curiosity in a tradition in which Ali asks for Abu Jahl's daughter in marriage, but the Prophet does not allow him to marry her because it would upset Fatimah."'' - "The Image of Fatima in Classical Muslim Thought," Denise L. Soufi, PhD dissertation, Princeton, 1997, p. 51-52</ref> This seems to indicate that at least for his own daughter he thought that polygyny hurt women, but would not take this fact into account with regard to his own marriages.

	==Polygamy Permitted in Islam==		==Polygamy Permitted in Islam==

Flynnjed: /* Bride-Price (mahr) */ some changes to Bride-Price and Child Marriage sections

2022-01-24T20:59:04Z

Bride-Price (mahr): some changes to Bride-Price and Child Marriage sections

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:59, 24 January 2022
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	===Bride-Price (mahr)===		===Bride-Price (mahr)===
	[[File:Polygamydowry2.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems\|thumb\|450x450px\|Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems]]		[[File:Polygamydowry2.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems\|thumb\|450x450px\|Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems]]
	In polygamous kinship systems ~~marriages~~ require that some form of ~~dowry or~~ bride-price be paid ([[Mahr (Marital Price)\|mahr]]). This is because ~~the~~ scarcity of marriageable women ~~which polygamy causes~~ makes ~~them into~~ a valuable asset ~~that can be~~ realised when she is 'sold' in marriage. The scarcer marriageable women are the ~~more~~ the value of dowries ~~rises~~. This makes marriage unaffordable to low-ranking young men, even if they do manage to find a bride. ~~It is a notable feature~~ of ~~Arabic~~ folk tales (such as ''<nowiki/>'One Thousand and One Nights''')~~, and similar tales from other polygamous societies, that their heroes~~ are often poor young men (such as Aladdin) ~~who love a girl, but who can not afford~~ the bride-price ~~required to marry her~~. The story is resolved when he becomes rich and powerful enough to marry her.		Bride-price is a payment made by the bride-groom (or his family) to the bride (or her family). Marriages in polygamous kinship systems require that some form of bride-price be paid ([[Mahr (Marital Price)\|mahr]]). This is because polygamy creates a scarcity of marriageable women. This makes unmarried girls and women a particularly valuable asset, which is realised when she is 'sold' in marriage to a husband. The scarcer marriageable women are the greater the value of dowries. This makes marriage unaffordable to low-ranking young men, even if they somehow manage to find a bride. The heros of folk tales of polygamous societies (such as ''<nowiki/>'One Thousand and One Nights''') are often poor young men (such as Aladdin) struggling to find the wealth necessary to pay the bride-price of the girl he loves. The story is resolved when he becomes rich and powerful enough to marry her.

	Nobel prize-winning economist Gary Becker argues in his book 'A Treatise on the Family'<ref>[https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674906990 A Treatise on the Family] Gary S. Becker, Harvard University Press</ref> that families of young women become the biggest supporters of polygamy because they possess an inherently scarce resource. Love matches and courtship are frowned upon because they risk reducing the bride-price (the couple may be tempted to elope, or the bride request a merely symbolic bride-price). In order to preserve their market value, ~~young~~ women must ~~be veiled or sequestered~~ and ~~kept out of contact with young men~~.		Nobel prize-winning economist Gary Becker argues in his book 'A Treatise on the Family'<ref>[https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674906990 A Treatise on the Family] Gary S. Becker, Harvard University Press</ref> that families of young women become the biggest supporters of polygamy because they possess an inherently scarce resource. Love matches and courtship are frowned upon because they risk reducing the bride-price (the couple may be tempted to elope, or the bride request a merely symbolic bride-price). Thus in order to preserve their market value, the chastity and reputation of unmarried women must protected by such measures as FGM, purdah, child marriage and arranged marriage. .

	===Child Marriage===		===Child Marriage===
	[[File:Polygamychildmarriage.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of child marriage\|thumb\|450x450px\|Maps comparing the global distribution of polygamy and of child marriage]]		[[File:Polygamychildmarriage.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of child marriage\|thumb\|450x450px\|Maps comparing the global distribution of polygamy and of child marriage]]
	Child Marriage is endemic to polygynous societies. One way of alleviating the 'bride famine' that polygyny creates amongst men in the lower strata of society is to bring prepubescent girls into the marriage market. Dowry further incentives parents to sell-off their daughters before adolescence, when there is a greater risk of her reputation being spoiled and her losing her economic value. And if the bride is still a child, the dowry goes to her father, not to the bride. The bride-price for a child is generally less than for an adolescent or adult woman. This makes children a more affordable option for poor and low status men.		Child Marriage is endemic to polygynous societies. One way of alleviating the 'bride famine' that polygyny creates amongst men in the lower strata of society is to bring prepubescent girls into the marriage market. Dowry further incentives parents to sell-off their daughters before adolescence, when there is a greater risk of her reputation being spoiled and her losing her economic value. And if the bride is still a child, the dowry goes to her father, not to the bride. The bride-price for a child is generally less than for an adolescent or adult woman. This makes children a more affordable option for poor and low status men. Because of the great age differences in such marriages, and the degree of power inequality between husband and bride, the personal bond between husbands and wives is not strong and there is very little companionate marriage.
	Because of the great age differences in such marriages, and the degree of power inequality between husband and bride, the personal bond between husbands and wives is not strong and there is very little companionate marriage.

	In monogamous societies, the incest taboo generally extends not only to daughters but also to all young women old enough to be a man's daughter. This separation of generations~~, which~~ does not naturally occur in polygamous cultures, is what makes childhood, as we understand it, possible.		In monogamous societies, the incest taboo generally extends not only to a man's daughters but also to ''all'' young women old enough to be a man's daughter. This separation of generations does not naturally occur in polygamous cultures, and is what makes childhood, as we understand it, possible.

	===The Polygamous family===		===The Polygamous family===

Flynnjed: /* Allah creates more males than females */ corrected error 'allah creates more males than females' to 'allah creates more females than males'

2021-03-24T05:46:17Z

Allah creates more males than females: corrected error 'allah creates more males than females' to 'allah creates more females than males'

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:46, 24 March 2021
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	:Military casualties: 24,456,700		:Military casualties: 24,456,700

	===Allah creates more males ~~than females~~===		===Allah creates more females than males===

	The ratio of births is 105 males to 100 females, so this does not seem to be the case.		The ratio of births is 105 males to 100 females, so this does not seem to be the case.

Flynnjed: changed maps

2021-03-23T05:11:30Z

changed maps

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:11, 23 March 2021
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	===Bride-Price (mahr)===		===Bride-Price (mahr)===
	[[File:~~Polygamyandbrideprice~~.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems\|thumb\|Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems]]		[[File:Polygamydowry2.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems\|thumb\|450x450px\|Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems]]
	In polygamous kinship systems marriages require that some form of dowry or bride-price be paid ([[Mahr (Marital Price)\|mahr]]). This is because the scarcity of marriageable women which polygamy causes makes them into a valuable asset that can be realised when she is 'sold' in marriage. The scarcer marriageable women are the more the value of dowries rises. This makes marriage unaffordable to low-ranking young men, even if they do manage to find a bride. It is a notable feature of Arabic folk tales (such as ''<nowiki/>'One Thousand and One Nights'''), and similar tales from other polygamous societies, that their heroes are often poor young men (such as Aladdin) who love a girl, but who can not afford the bride-price required to marry her. The story is resolved when he becomes rich and powerful enough to marry her.		In polygamous kinship systems marriages require that some form of dowry or bride-price be paid ([[Mahr (Marital Price)\|mahr]]). This is because the scarcity of marriageable women which polygamy causes makes them into a valuable asset that can be realised when she is 'sold' in marriage. The scarcer marriageable women are the more the value of dowries rises. This makes marriage unaffordable to low-ranking young men, even if they do manage to find a bride. It is a notable feature of Arabic folk tales (such as ''<nowiki/>'One Thousand and One Nights'''), and similar tales from other polygamous societies, that their heroes are often poor young men (such as Aladdin) who love a girl, but who can not afford the bride-price required to marry her. The story is resolved when he becomes rich and powerful enough to marry her.

	Nobel prize-winning economist Gary Becker argues in his book 'A Treatise on the Family'<ref>[https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674906990 A Treatise on the Family] Gary S. Becker, Harvard University Press</ref> that families of young women become the biggest supporters of polygamy because they possess an inherently scarce resource. Love matches and courtship are frowned upon because they risk reducing the bride-price (the couple may be tempted to elope, or the bride request a merely symbolic bride-price). In order to preserve their market value, young women must be veiled or sequestered and kept out of contact with young men.		Nobel prize-winning economist Gary Becker argues in his book 'A Treatise on the Family'<ref>[https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674906990 A Treatise on the Family] Gary S. Becker, Harvard University Press</ref> that families of young women become the biggest supporters of polygamy because they possess an inherently scarce resource. Love matches and courtship are frowned upon because they risk reducing the bride-price (the couple may be tempted to elope, or the bride request a merely symbolic bride-price). In order to preserve their market value, young women must be veiled or sequestered and kept out of contact with young men.

	===Child Marriage===		===Child Marriage===
	[[File:~~Polygamy-and-child-marriage~~.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of child marriage\|thumb\|Maps comparing the global ~~distributions~~ of polygamy and of child marriage]]		[[File:Polygamychildmarriage.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of child marriage\|thumb\|450x450px\|Maps comparing the global distribution of polygamy and of child marriage]]
	Child Marriage is endemic to polygynous societies. One way of alleviating the 'bride famine' that polygyny creates amongst men in the lower strata of society is to bring prepubescent girls into the marriage market. Dowry further incentives parents to sell-off their daughters before adolescence, when there is a greater risk of her reputation being spoiled and her losing her economic value. And if the bride is still a child, the dowry goes to her father, not to the bride. The bride-price for a child is generally less than for an adolescent or adult woman. This makes children a more affordable option for poor and low status men.		Child Marriage is endemic to polygynous societies. One way of alleviating the 'bride famine' that polygyny creates amongst men in the lower strata of society is to bring prepubescent girls into the marriage market. Dowry further incentives parents to sell-off their daughters before adolescence, when there is a greater risk of her reputation being spoiled and her losing her economic value. And if the bride is still a child, the dowry goes to her father, not to the bride. The bride-price for a child is generally less than for an adolescent or adult woman. This makes children a more affordable option for poor and low status men.

	Because of the great age differences in such marriages, and the degree of power inequality between husband and bride, the personal bond between husbands and wives is not strong and there is very little companionate marriage.		Because of the great age differences in such marriages, and the degree of power inequality between husband and bride, the personal bond between husbands and wives is not strong and there is very little companionate marriage.

Flynnjed: added two pairs of maps (polygamy + dowries) (polygamy + child marriage)

2021-03-22T05:20:39Z

added two pairs of maps (polygamy + dowries) (polygamy + child marriage)

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:20, 22 March 2021
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	Polygamy causes Chastity Assurance practices such as [[Female Genital Mutilation in Islamic Law\|Female Genital Mutilation]] (FGM), Veiling, harems and footbinding.		Polygamy causes Chastity Assurance practices such as [[Female Genital Mutilation in Islamic Law\|Female Genital Mutilation]] (FGM), Veiling, harems and footbinding.

	In polygamous societies it is only the richest and most powerful men who are able to afford to keep multiple wives. However, these high-status polygamous men face a problem guaranteeing the fidelity of their many wives - and the more wives they have the greater the problem becomes. In a monogamous marriage a husband and wife can spend much of their time with one another, and become close to one another, and their sexual and emotional needs are more-or-less proportional. A polygamous man may have two, four, hundred or even a thousand wives ~~(although Islamic law limits the number of one's wives to four, a man is allowed to have an unlimited number of concubines)~~, whom he must satisfy emotionally and sexually, and whose desire for motherhood he must also satisfy. If one of his wive's needs are not satisfied, she may be tempted be unfaithful, and this may result in the high-status man rearing a child that is not his own. Which, evolutionary speaking, is a disaster.		In polygamous societies it is only the richest and most powerful men who are able to afford to keep multiple wives. However, these high-status polygamous men face a problem guaranteeing the fidelity of their many wives - and the more wives they have the greater the problem becomes. In a monogamous marriage a husband and wife can spend much of their time with one another, and become close to one another, and their sexual and emotional needs are more-or-less proportional. A polygamous man may have two, four, hundred or even a thousand wives, whom he must satisfy emotionally and sexually, and whose desire for motherhood he must also satisfy. If one of his wive's needs are not satisfied, she may be tempted be unfaithful, and this may result in the high-status man rearing a child that is not his own. Which, evolutionary speaking, is a disaster.

	In order to assure themselves of the chastity and fidelity of their many wives, polygamous men have developed a variety of Chastity Assurance practices:		In order to assure themselves of the chastity and fidelity of their many wives, polygamous men have developed a variety of Chastity Assurance practices:
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	===Bride-Price (mahr)===		===Bride-Price (mahr)===
			[[File:Polygamyandbrideprice.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems\|thumb\|Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of dowry systems]]
	In polygamous kinship systems marriages require that some form of dowry or bride-price be paid ([[Mahr (Marital Price)\|mahr]]). This is because the scarcity of marriageable women which polygamy causes makes them into a valuable asset that can be realised when she is 'sold' in marriage. The scarcer marriageable women are the more the value of dowries rises. This makes marriage unaffordable to low-ranking young men, even if they do manage to find a bride. It is a notable feature of Arabic folk tales (such as ''<nowiki/>'One Thousand and One Nights'''), and similar tales from other polygamous societies, that their heroes are often poor young men (such as Aladdin) who love a girl, but who can not afford the bride-price required to marry her. The story is resolved when he becomes rich and powerful enough to marry her.		In polygamous kinship systems marriages require that some form of dowry or bride-price be paid ([[Mahr (Marital Price)\|mahr]]). This is because the scarcity of marriageable women which polygamy causes makes them into a valuable asset that can be realised when she is 'sold' in marriage. The scarcer marriageable women are the more the value of dowries rises. This makes marriage unaffordable to low-ranking young men, even if they do manage to find a bride. It is a notable feature of Arabic folk tales (such as ''<nowiki/>'One Thousand and One Nights'''), and similar tales from other polygamous societies, that their heroes are often poor young men (such as Aladdin) who love a girl, but who can not afford the bride-price required to marry her. The story is resolved when he becomes rich and powerful enough to marry her.

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	===Child Marriage===		===Child Marriage===
			[[File:Polygamy-and-child-marriage.jpg\|alt=Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of child marriage\|thumb\|Maps comparing the global distributions of polygamy and of child marriage]]
	Child Marriage is endemic to polygynous societies. One way of alleviating the 'bride famine' that polygyny creates amongst men in the lower strata of society is to bring prepubescent girls into the marriage market. Dowry further incentives parents to sell-off their daughters before adolescence, when there is a greater risk of her reputation being spoiled and her losing her economic value. And if the bride is still a child, the dowry goes to her father, not to the bride. The bride-price for a child is generally less than for an adolescent or adult woman. This makes children a more affordable option for poor and low status men.		Child Marriage is endemic to polygynous societies. One way of alleviating the 'bride famine' that polygyny creates amongst men in the lower strata of society is to bring prepubescent girls into the marriage market. Dowry further incentives parents to sell-off their daughters before adolescence, when there is a greater risk of her reputation being spoiled and her losing her economic value. And if the bride is still a child, the dowry goes to her father, not to the bride. The bride-price for a child is generally less than for an adolescent or adult woman. This makes children a more affordable option for poor and low status men.

IbnPinker at 21:20, 21 March 2021

2021-03-21T21:20:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:20, 21 March 2021
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	Polygamy causes Chastity Assurance practices such as [[Female Genital Mutilation in Islamic Law\|Female Genital Mutilation]] (FGM), Veiling, harems and footbinding.		Polygamy causes Chastity Assurance practices such as [[Female Genital Mutilation in Islamic Law\|Female Genital Mutilation]] (FGM), Veiling, harems and footbinding.

	In polygamous societies it is only the richest and most powerful men who are able to afford to keep multiple wives. However, these high-status polygamous men face a problem guaranteeing the fidelity of their many wives - and the more wives they have the greater the problem becomes. In a monogamous marriage a husband and wife can spend much of their time with one another, and become close to one another, and their sexual and emotional needs are more-or-less proportional. A polygamous man may have two, four, hundred or even a thousand wives, whom he must satisfy emotionally and sexually, and whose desire for motherhood he must also satisfy. If one of his wive's needs are not satisfied, she may be tempted be unfaithful, and this may result in the high-status man rearing a child that is not his own. Which, evolutionary speaking, is a disaster.		In polygamous societies it is only the richest and most powerful men who are able to afford to keep multiple wives. However, these high-status polygamous men face a problem guaranteeing the fidelity of their many wives - and the more wives they have the greater the problem becomes. In a monogamous marriage a husband and wife can spend much of their time with one another, and become close to one another, and their sexual and emotional needs are more-or-less proportional. A polygamous man may have two, four, hundred or even a thousand wives (although Islamic law limits the number of one's wives to four, a man is allowed to have an unlimited number of concubines), whom he must satisfy emotionally and sexually, and whose desire for motherhood he must also satisfy. If one of his wive's needs are not satisfied, she may be tempted be unfaithful, and this may result in the high-status man rearing a child that is not his own. Which, evolutionary speaking, is a disaster.

	In order to assure themselves of the chastity and fidelity of their many wives, polygamous men have developed a variety of Chastity Assurance practices:		In order to assure themselves of the chastity and fidelity of their many wives, polygamous men have developed a variety of Chastity Assurance practices: