It appears the mainstream media is working overtime to de-normalise traditional marriage between one man and one woman. A recent 1News article by Professor David W Lawson reporting on new research that highlights the “plus sides” of polygyny—where one man marries multiple women—may be academically interesting, but it’s deeply alarming. Whilst the study offers insights into family structures in the context of polygyny and specific cultural contexts, it fails to address the bigger picture: the long-term impacts on marriage, parental roles, the well-being of women and children, and society.
The article cites a trio of new studies that basically disagree with common arguments against polygyny, labelling them as misguided. Common arguments like polygamy in all its forms are more harmful for women and children and tend to lock men out of marriage, therefore leading to social unrest among unwed women. The author notes that all these studies rely on the highest standards of data analysis and that context is key. However, fails to account for the psychosocial harms and ethical dilemmas that arise from these relational structures.
It is important to note that all three studies are based on African contexts, where polygyny is more culturally embedded, socially accepted, and even legal. These societies are most often agrarian communities with kinship systems and internal infrastructure systems that enable polygynous structures. There are demographic assumptions in these studies that may not apply uniformly in Western contexts – such as age-disparate marriages, higher female life expectancy, and population growth. All nuances that the author conveniently leaves out.
Lawson notes the “plus sides” of polygyny shouldn’t be overlooked. Like the stronger social support networks due to an increase in in-laws, economic benefits for women who choose polygyny, and even hidden benefits like shared wealth and resources. Interestingly, these are also similar reasons often used to justify arrangements such as consanguineous marriage or first-cousin marriage, despite the genetic and health risks associated with marrying a close relative.
Now the article doesn’t deny that polygyny isn’t harmless, except that it glosses over some of those associated harms like domestic violence, psychiatric distress, decreased male parental investment in children and even increased inequality between men and women. These are serious issues that cannot be overlooked. The author even goes further to make a subtle affront that monogamous marriages aren’t exempt from harm either; therefore, consideration should be given to other family and relational arrangements like polygyny.
The author’s subtle equivalence drawn between polygyny and monogamy ignores the foundational role monogamous marriage between one man and one woman has played in shaping Western democratic institutions, human rights, gender equity, and child welfare. The Family Research Council describes monogamous culture, specifically marriage between one man and one woman, as upholding the following:
- All human life is sacred and protected
- Tends to lean towards a belief in objective truth – that reality exists and can be known
- Builds around the traditional, natural family and protects it
- Is child-centred and future-focused
- Men are anchored (and required to be) in their families and tied to their children and wives, through the free and deliberate focus of their sexuality.
- Differentiates gender roles
Traditional marriage and the culture of monogamy play a crucial role in creating societies where the inherent dignity of a person is recognized and protected by way of human rights. Marriage is not simply about cohabitation or resource-sharing. It’s a God-designed covenant that is sacred, exclusive, permanent and requires mutual sacrifice and commitment from both husband and wife. It is an institution that offers societal benefits unlike any other relationship.
While the article by Professor David W. Lawson offers a culturally contextualized and data-driven defense of polygyny, its framing risks oversimplifying a complex and ethically fraught issue. It inadvertently normalizes a relational structure that remains deeply contested whilst sidestepping critical moral and ethical questions about autonomy, consent, and the long-term societal implications. If anything, polygamy in all its forms is an example of not everything that is functional is good.
What strengthens society is the foundation of traditional marriage and family—structures that uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every person. As Western nations continue to go against what God has designed as good, we must remain steadfast in defending and preserving the culture of monogamy and traditional marriage. Lifelong, faithful marriages between one man and one woman foster stability, nurture children, and promote the moral and social order upon which thriving communities are built.
The truth is simple: strong families build strong societies and nations. And strong families begin with strong marriages—rooted not in fleeting trends or academic theories, but in God’s truth about marriage and family.
*Written by Family First staff writers*
