Analysis Of Tradeoffs: Monogamy Vs. Polygamy

Tradeoffs: Monogamy vs. Polygamy In 1991, Elizabeth Joseph wrote an article published in The New York Times to those who are troubled by the practice of polygamy or to let the curious monogamists know how it sometimes works. Titled “My Husband’s Nine Wives,” the article argues that polygamy is better than monogamy because it has less “tradeoffs,” (148) and helps her with “successfully juggling career, motherhood, and marriage” (147). Although her polygamist lifestyle works for her, it is not for everyone. Joseph criticizes monogamy because of its many “tradeoffs,” (148) but her polygamist arrangement requires just as many, if not more, compromises. Joseph starts her argument in paragraph four that if you read any woman’s digest you would

Is that what she wants her daughter to have? Joseph is so concerned with monogamist compromises that she has blinded herself so she cannot see that she is teaching her daughter that she doesn’t really need a father or, eventually, a husband of her own. Yes the girl should know how to be independent and be able to take care of her own self, but she is learning that she doesn’t need a man at all. This down the line could be very problematic. Also, Alex probably doesn’t spend any quality time with any of his kids let alone, London. There has been many studies conducted about the influence of a female only house, mainly single mothers, verses the mother-and-father household. Most kids do better with both parents taking an active role in their lives. Also, if compromising is so bad then why is Joseph allowing compromises with how much father-daughter time London gets? She, Joseph, acts, throughout her article that compromising is the big bad wolf of monogamy, but it’s not. The big bad wolf of monogamy is the unwillingness to make compromises and try to help/support/provide for one

Other than that it’s usually both feel like it but Joseph has to work around the other co-wives.

Most nights, with her job and small child, she just rather goes to sleep. But sometimes she feels like being with him, she asks. Polygamy is not everyone’s cup of tea. But it’s Joseph’s favorite flavor. It allows men and women to become unhindered by society’s respective circles that usually cut them off from the world around them. Plural marriage allows a resolution. Joseph shares, “I believe American women would have invented it if it didn’t already exist.” (148) She is passive on the fact that she is barely around her own child and that her husband doesn’t have much to do with London either, but is completely okay with having to compromise at times, when she feels like she needs her husband’s touch, by having to schedule her feelings. She concludes with an agreeable statement that polygamy doesn’t work for most; but it works for someone like her, who that rather lives an independent life free from most responsibilities. I agree with her last sentence. If polygamy hadn’t already existed, America would have created