Sister Wives premiered on TLC in 2010. It showcased the lives of the Brown family residing as a polygamist household. Kody Brown is married legally to Meri, his first wife. After Meri, Kody proceeded to have a spiritual marriage with three other women. These marriages are not recognized by the government of the United States but are recognized through their practiced religion as fundamentalist Mormons. Although Kody is not legally married to all four women, as soon as the show premiered the family went, and still is, under investigation for bigamy.
The concept of the show is a realistic view into a “normal” family. Despise the initial unfamiliarity and uncomfortable feeling that comes with the polygamist lifestyle, one sees how surprisingly healthy and conventional this family really is.
The United States does not legally recognize polygamy, so many Americans are uncomfortable with the notion of having multiple wives, not to mention it goes against many peoples religious views. This is the first time main stream television has showcased a polygamist reality lifestyle. Seeing four seemingly consenting, strong minded, level headed women enjoy this lifestyle is a far cry from a chauvinist man taking on many wives with no emotional connection or consent on their behalves.
Outside of the US, polygamy is recognized civilly in almost 50 countries and also recognized in the UK and Australia (as long as it was performed legally in other countries). Since other countries accept this lifestyle and the Brown’s are five consenting adults with a happy family, does this change your opinion of this particular way of living?
As an ex member of the Brown’s polygamist religion, I sincerely hope that America will not be duped by this attempt to normalize an abusive system. Most women in these kinds of polygamist groups only participate because they believe that they must. Their scriptures teach them that women who refuse will be destroyed by God.