Intermediate Debate Competition R2: State Legislatures should decriminalize Polygamy

I would like to start off by thanking Pro for his involvement in this debate and appreciate the opportunity for respectful and rational discourse. I will be arguing against the legalization of polygamy, even given limitations to ensure fair rights. I believe that the structure of polygamy (even when give fair limitations under the law) will not, in practice, uphold necessary boundaries of equality. I also will be arguing that polygamy is overall detrimental to society. Let's get right to it: A1: POLYGAMY, IN PRINCIPLE, IS A STRUCTURALLY UNEQUAL SYSTEM Polygamy, even in cases where all partners involved receive equal benefits, is fundamentally a practice of disproportionate equalities. It endangers equality, not solely between men and women, but between polygamous partners as well. For example, take polygyny (the most common form of polygamy), where a man has multiple wives. Given the scenario of divorce, there is an asymmetrical position of power given to the man. While the husband may divorce any/all of his wives, they, in turn, would be permitted to divorce him, but not any other wife. Each wife's options are limited to accepting all current partners or divorcing her husband, thereby leaving all partners. Note that this situation is not unique to polygyny, but occupies all forms of polygamous marriage, where asymmetrical positions of power reside among the partners. This inconsistency of rights can be found not just in legal aspects but in the fabric of the relationships as well. Problems can arise from tension in regards to areas concerning conjugal rights, burden of income, household responsibility, etc. because of the asymmetrical function in the relationship. Additionally, note that polyandry, the form of polygamy involving a women marrying multiple husbands, is exceedingly rare in society. A survey taken of traditional societies in the world reveals that only .47% percent of marriages practice polyandry. Of those, the majority take part in what is known as fraternal polyandry, where a group of brothers marry one wife. This type has criminal basis in at least two ways: polygamy and incest. Non-fraternal polyandry is almost nonexistent in society. (http://www.psychologytoday.com...) Though, in theory, decriminalizing polygamy would provide equal opportunity for men to marry multiple women as well as for women to marry multiple men, in practice the circumstances would be quite different. Polygamy can essentially be categorized by polygynous affairs in the majority of cases. A2: NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THOSE INVOLVED IN POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGES Numerous studies report negative effects on women in polygamous marriages, as well as children. Several studies done at Ben-Gurion University reveal higher levels of psychological distress, problems in marital relationships, low levels of self-esteem, and life satisfaction for women in such marriages. Negative effects on children include lower levels of academic achievement, reports of substandard relationships with their fathers as well as low perception of economic status. Other studies include reports of behavioral problems in children. (http://stoppolygamyincanada.wordpress.com...) A3: NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON SOCIETY Studies reveal that within the US, though there are slightly higher ratios of men to women at birth, from the ages of 16-64 the ratio is equal, meaning the population is made up of about 50% women and 50% men. (http://en.wikipedia.org...) This gives everyone more or less an equal chance to mate. As I have already shown, the majority of polygamous marriages involve one man marrying several wives. This inevitably leaves other men with a decreased chance to find spouses, in some cases, altogether eliminating the possibility. Additionally, there is significant data evidencing that single men are much more likely to commit crimes. (http://www.cato.org...) and (http://www.eurekalert.org...) This explains why polygamous societies in general have higher crime rates. As Joseph Henrich, in his article, The Puzzle of Monogamous Marriage, writes, "By expanding the pool of unmarried men and elevating the degree of intrasexual competition, more polygynous marriages will increase men's discounting of the future and risk-taking, resulting in more socially undesirable behaviours." (http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org... - see '(i) Implication: normative monogamy reduces crime') Henrich goes on to explain how even small numbers of polygynous marriages result in increasing numbers of men without mates. I will conclude here for now and would like to reiterate my thanks to Pro for establishing a compelling Round 2. Looking forward to his response.