Polygamy — a form of marriage in which a person is married to several spouses at once, whether officially or within a tradition.
What it means
It is important to distinguish polygamy from polyamory: the former refers to the institution of marriage and is often tied to cultural or religious traditions, while the latter refers to the format of romantic relationships in general. Polygamy is divided into polygyny (one man and several wives) and polyandry (one woman and several husbands); the former is noticeably more common. In most modern states plural marriage is not legally recognized, though in a number of countries and communities it remains part of the traditional way of life. The term is descriptive and carries no judgment: it simply records the structure of a marriage. At the same time, polygamy does not necessarily mean equality or the consent of all parties — much depends on the specific culture and customs.
Example
In some cultures a man may be married to several wives, and such a family is arranged according to the rules, customs and religious norms accepted in that society.
Related terms
Polyamory, Monogamy, Ethical non-monogamy
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