anyone know about these households??

IndianSummer

go to

http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200310/20031009/tows_slide_20031009_06.jhtml
and
http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200310/20031009/tows_slide_20031009_07.jhtml
and
http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200310/20031009/tows_slide_20031009_08.jhtml

IndianSummer

the 1st link -

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There are thousands of families in the United States who are living in secretive and bizarre religious sects that force young girls to marry middle-aged men and bear dozens of children. And if anyone wants to leave, they have to literally escape.

At age 15, Luann was forced to become her first cousin's fourth wife. She was married to him for five years and bore two of his children before she was rescued. "When I got married, I felt like my life was coming to an end. I feel like I was robbed of my childhood because I was expected to start having babies as soon as I got married." The community Luann was raised in believes they are direct descendants of Jesus Christ and incest will keep their bloodline "pure."



the 2nd link -

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Just 50 miles north of the Grand Canyon in Colorado City, Arizona, Lenore was also forced as a teenager into a relationship with a man who had other wives. Now in her 40s with 14 children, she is part of a group of people trying to rescue young girls from these polygamist marriages. Even though she still lives in Colorado City, she is not allowed to see two of her children. "Polygamy abuses women and provides a nest for child molestation."

Oprah agrees. "If you marry a 14-year-old, that is molestation."



the 3rd link-

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Pennie escaped from Colorado City, Arizona, at age 14 to avoid marrying a 48-year-old man. She is now on a legal crusade to prosecute these men she calls child molesters. "I've got two charges on two different men that were involved with my sisters. We've got one conviction already."

Polygamy was outlawed in this country over 100 years ago. Those who practice polygamy today are doing so illegally and are part of extremist groups—not the Mormon Church. If it is illegal, how does it still exist? Pennie says, "It is a taboo subject. Polygamy is a political bombshell. Nobody wants to touch it."

IndianSummer

why does a topic important enough to be featured in Oprah Winfry's show, get no response in the Moving Train ??

MLC2006

I don't doubt that it exists, but I DO doubt that there are "thousands" of families like that. "thousands" is a lot, even in a country of millions.

also, I see nothing at all wrong with polygamy if it is done among consenting adults and minor children aren't forced into it.

and HBO's "Big Love" is a good show.

Restless Soul

It's wierd and sick. Another example of people taking religion waaaay too seriously.

baraka

Restless Soul wrote:

It's wierd and sick. Another example of people taking religion waaaay too seriously.

I believe the Mormon church outlawed polygamy as a condition of statehood for Utah back in the 1800's. It's still practiced, but frowned upon by the church. I agree with whoever said that this is practiced by only a handful of folks as polygamists are viewed as pariahs by most of society.

all this talk about polygamy........what about polyandry?

Abookamongstthemany

I don't see anything wrong with polygamy. Why would I care what adults choose to do with their private lives?

IndianSummer

but it isnt just adults involved. some of the people referenced are 14 year old or at least were 14 odd when they got married.

Abookamongstthemany

IndianSummer wrote:

but it isnt just adults involved. some of the people referenced are 14 year old or at least were 14 odd when they got married.

Yeah, if it's children then it's sick to be getting married period.

Kann

Abookamongstthemany wrote:

I don't see anything wrong with polygamy. Why would I care what adults choose to do with their private lives?

Because it is unfair. Imagine you're married with a man you love very much. And he decides, because the law let's him do it, to marry another woman : he basically leaves you the choice to share him with someone else or to divorce. That's not really fair. If you do not want to share it's like getting cheated upon officialy.
If you extend this law to both sex things do not even out. You still have people who are forced a lifestyle upon.
I agree that we have no right meddeling with people's private lives but it is not the role of the law to make it easier to fuck relationships. If a couple wants to experience polygamy you can always do it on a private part, outside of marriage.

catefrances

Kann wrote:

Because it is unfair. Imagine you're married with a man you love very much. And he decides, because the law let's him do it, to marry another woman : he basically leaves you the choice to share him with someone else or to divorce. That's not really fair. If you do not want to share it's like getting cheated upon officialy.
If you extend this law to both sex things do not even out. You still have people who are forced a lifestyle upon.
I agree that we have no right meddeling with people's private lives but it is not the role of the law to make it easier to fuck relationships. If a couple wants to experience polygamy you can always do it on a private part, outside of marriage.

what forced? if you find yourself in a marriage where your partner decides because it's legal, to marry another whilst staying wedded to you, then you leave. sure you love them, but it comes down to whether you can keep your self respect and dignity with the arrangement. if you can't, then you leave. if believe you can share, then go for it. it's your choice.