Polygamy has been declared as "not intrinsically evil" according to Catholc doctrine. It certainly cannot be considered immoral as it requires fulfilling all the responsibilities of a monogamous relationship and is not done secretly as in the taking of a mistress or having many adulterous relationships and sometimes producing unwanted children or contracting sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS  which is a death sentence for innocent wives and children. Adultery today should be regarded as an assault with a deadly weapon when deadly harm is the result.

In Islam polygamy or more correctly polygyny, is allowed with up to four wives but not promoted. Its purpose is to provide protection for widows and orphans especially from war. It requires equal treatment and separate lodging for the wives. The husband must alternate between wives.It also has the benefit of discouraging divorce which is bad for the children. Serial polygamy in the West harms the family.

As it is very difficult to have absolute equality,so those who fear that they would be unable to meet this standard are advised to marry only one. Though there are obvious problems  that can arise  between wives that can  make them unhappy, the  man also  can be negatively affected and  one should not  look up  the relationship simply from a sexual point of view or one that exploits women.

Many women and girls are unable to support themselves and their children and turn to prostitution or parents to selling their daughters.,Polygamy allows women to choose a man who is already married rather than settling for a single man below her standards.

Many non-Muslim women in Africa welcome being part a polygamous household as work can be shared.

 Ameer Raschid

USA/Turkey