Difference between revisions of "Is polygamy sexist?"

(Question: Is polygamy sexist?)
(Question: Is polygamy sexist?)
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===Introduction to Question===
 
===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.
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It is claimed that the historical practice of polygamy as well as contemporary theology about polygamy and its possible extension into the eternities by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 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&ndash;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&ndash;109.</ref>
 
 
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&ndash;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&ndash;109.</ref>
 
  
 
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:  
 
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:  

Revision as of 15:46, 21 February 2022

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Question: Is polygamy sexist?

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Introduction to Question

It is claimed that the historical practice of polygamy as well as contemporary theology about polygamy and its possible extension into the eternities by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 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

  1. 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.
  2. Hales, "Opportunity Lost," 97n4.