Legal Definitions - plural marriage

Plural Marriage

Plural marriage refers to the practice or state of being married to more than one spouse simultaneously. This concept stands in contrast to monogamy, which is the practice of having only one spouse at a time. While recognized in some cultures and religious traditions globally, plural marriage is illegal in many countries, including the United States, where marriage laws typically enforce monogamy.

• Example 1: In a community where plural marriage is culturally accepted, a man named David is legally married to both Sarah and Emily at the same time. He lives with both women and considers them both his wives, with their union recognized within their specific cultural or religious framework.

  Explanation: This illustrates plural marriage because David has entered into marital relationships with more than one person (Sarah and Emily) concurrently, fulfilling the definition of having multiple spouses.

• Example 2: A woman named Anya, living in a remote region, is considered married to two brothers, Ben and Chris, who share her as a wife according to their long-standing tribal customs. This arrangement is accepted and understood within their societal norms.

  Explanation: This scenario demonstrates plural marriage from the perspective of polyandry, where one woman is married to multiple men simultaneously, which is a form of plural marriage.

• Example 3: John, who is legally married to Lisa, attempts to marry Maria in a separate ceremony without divorcing Lisa first. Even if a ceremony takes place, the law in most Western countries would not recognize John's marriage to Maria as valid because he is already legally bound to Lisa. This act could lead to charges of bigamy, a criminal offense, rather than the formation of a legal plural marriage.

  Explanation: This example shows how attempting to enter into a plural marriage (marrying Maria while still married to Lisa) is legally prohibited in many jurisdictions. While the intent is to create a plural marriage, the legal system prevents its recognition and may impose penalties, underscoring that plural marriage is generally not permitted under current law in such places.