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Difference between revisions of "Is polygamy sexist?"
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Many assert that Latter-day Saint polygamy is sexist. This perspective has been promoted in many feminist Latter-day Saint circles and troubles many women today. | Many assert that Latter-day Saint polygamy is sexist. This perspective has been promoted in many feminist Latter-day Saint circles and troubles many women today. | ||
− | It is claimed that the historical practice of polygamy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as some of the theology about celestial polygamy is sexist. This has been most passionately argued by Latter-day Saint poet Carol Lynn Pearson in her book ''The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men''.<ref>Carol Lynn Pearson, ''The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men'' (Walnut Creek, CA: Pivot Point Books, 2016). For reviews that expose the weaknesses of Pearson’s position and approach, see Allen Wyatt, “[https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/scary-ghost-stories-in-the-light-of-day/ Scary Ghost Stories in the Light of Day],” ''Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship'' 23 (2017): 137–160; Brian C. Hales, “[https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/opportunity-lost/ Opportunity Lost],” ''Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship'' 23 (2017): 91–109. | + | It is claimed that the historical practice of polygamy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as some of the theology about celestial polygamy is sexist. This has been most passionately argued by Latter-day Saint poet Carol Lynn Pearson in her book ''The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men''.<ref>Carol Lynn Pearson, ''The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men'' (Walnut Creek, CA: Pivot Point Books, 2016). For reviews that expose the weaknesses of Pearson’s position and approach, see Allen Wyatt, “[https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/scary-ghost-stories-in-the-light-of-day/ Scary Ghost Stories in the Light of Day],” ''Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship'' 23 (2017): 137–160; Brian C. Hales, “[https://journal.interpreterfoundation.org/opportunity-lost/ Opportunity Lost],” ''Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship'' 23 (2017): 91–109.</ref> |
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+ | The observation that allegedly grounds this assertion is that polygamy fragments women's emotional and sexual opportunities as a wife. As Brian C. Hales has argued: | ||
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+ | <blockquote>In the case of a new plural wife who would have remained unmarried if monogamy was exclusively practices, her “emotional and sexual opportunities as a wife” are increased from zero to some fraction depending on how many other wives the man has. However, the other wives’ opportunities are diminished as a result of the new plural matrimony.<ref>Hales, "Opportunity Lost," 97n4.</ref></blockquote> | ||
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+ | Do these assertions hold? This article will present at least one argument that they do not. | ||
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Revision as of 15:43, 21 February 2022
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Question: Is polygamy sexist?
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Introduction to Question
Many assert that Latter-day Saint polygamy is sexist. This perspective has been promoted in many feminist Latter-day Saint circles and troubles many women today.
It is claimed that the historical practice of polygamy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as some of the theology about celestial polygamy is sexist. This has been most passionately argued by Latter-day Saint poet Carol Lynn Pearson in her book The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men.[1]
The observation that allegedly grounds this assertion is that polygamy fragments women's emotional and sexual opportunities as a wife. As Brian C. Hales has argued:
In the case of a new plural wife who would have remained unmarried if monogamy was exclusively practices, her “emotional and sexual opportunities as a wife” are increased from zero to some fraction depending on how many other wives the man has. However, the other wives’ opportunities are diminished as a result of the new plural matrimony.[2]
Do these assertions hold? This article will present at least one argument that they do not.
Notes
- ↑ Carol Lynn Pearson, The Ghost of Eternal Polygamy: Haunting the Hearts and Heaven of Mormon Women and Men (Walnut Creek, CA: Pivot Point Books, 2016). For reviews that expose the weaknesses of Pearson’s position and approach, see Allen Wyatt, “Scary Ghost Stories in the Light of Day,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 23 (2017): 137–160; Brian C. Hales, “Opportunity Lost,” Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship 23 (2017): 91–109.
- ↑ Hales, "Opportunity Lost," 97n4.