Legal Definitions - polygyny

Polygyny refers to the practice or condition where a man has more than one wife simultaneously.

• Example 1: In certain historical societies, such as some ancient kingdoms or tribal communities, it was customary for powerful leaders or wealthy individuals to engage in polygyny. For instance, a monarch might have a primary queen and several secondary wives, often to forge political alliances with other families or tribes, or to ensure the production of numerous heirs. All these women were considered his wives at the same time within that societal structure.

  Explanation: This illustrates polygyny because the monarch, a single man, was married to multiple women concurrently, fulfilling the definition of having more than one wife at the same time.

• Example 2: Consider a fictional community in a remote region that adheres to specific cultural or religious traditions allowing a man to marry multiple women. A man in this community might be married to two women, living with both of them and their respective children under one household, with all individuals recognizing the marital status of the man to both women according to their customs.

  Explanation: This demonstrates polygyny as the man is simultaneously married to and maintains spousal relationships with two different women within the framework of his community's accepted practices.

• Example 3: In many modern legal systems, polygyny is prohibited, and marriage is legally defined as a union between two people. If a man in a country where monogamy is legally mandated attempts to marry a second woman while still legally married to his first wife, he would be committing the crime of bigamy. Although illegal, his *attempt* to have two wives at once conceptually falls under the definition of polygyny, even if the state does not recognize the second marriage as valid.

  Explanation: This example shows the *practice* of attempting to have multiple wives, even when it is against the law. The core concept of one man having more than one wife simultaneously is present, even if the state does not legally recognize all such unions and imposes penalties.