Polygamy

3 Pages 724 Words

Dolphyne, Florence Abena. The Emancipation of Women. Accra: Ghana Universities Press, 1991.
Pg.14 “A man who had been married for about two years decided to take on a second wife. His wife thought there was no need for that since she felt they were getting on perfectly happily…the man argued that she alone could not provide hum all the things he needed at the time he needed them, but the woman insisted there was no basis for that claim.” To prove his point, the man asked for traditional Asante corn dough to be prepared in one day. The woman took on the challenge. She worked hard all day preparing the necessary ingredients and when the day was done she was not. She gave up and apologized to her husband for being so stubborn and told him she felt it was a good idea for him to marry a second wife. Even though this is just a folktale and its credibility is questionable, it still gives the idea of how people began to accept polygamy. Young girls of this tribe here this story over and over. When they become of age to marry, they feel there is absolutely nothing worn!
g with being one of many wives and they accept it as part of everyday life.
Pg17 “Some educated women…of the Islamic faith…will tell you that they would not mind being the second, third, or fourth wife”. The reason for this is that they feel they will have time to concentrate on their education or career whenever it is not their turn to “…keep house for the husband.” I always wondered how the women of polygamous marriages felt about being one of four wives. This statement doesn’t seem likely. I can’t think of any woman that would not mind sharing her husband with co-wives.
Pg18 Those who support polygamy have argued, “…that it is justified on account of the ratio of women to men in their countries” This seems like people who practice polygamy are just trying to justify it in any way.
Embry, Jessie L. Mormon Polygamous Families. Salt...