TLC has developed a showed called Sister Wives. It follows the Brown family around, a polygamist fundamental Mormon family, and takes note of their everyday lives. When first hearing of this show the first thought that pops into my mind is some very mean male chauvinist pig that has multiply wives to have sex with and cook him food. I was really really wrong.
Kody Brown has 4 wives and a combined 16 children between the 4 of them. He recently in one of the episodes married his 4th wife, Robyn. Much to my surprise it was actually Kody’s 1st wife, Mari, which pushed him to meet and court Robyn. I found that these women were not at all pushed into this polygamist lifestyle but they all chose it.
The house that they live in is split up into small sub-houses. So each wife and kids of each wife have their own space but then there is a massive living space in the center for all. Each night Kody has designated with each wife. I noticed that he takes very special care to see and show each wife the same amount of attention. He says goodnight to every single child before they go to bed.
Two of the wives work outside the house as well as Kody. One wife stays at home and does household things and one wife does errands and pickups. All the wives say that its maximum efficiency. They say they never have to worry about someone not picking up their kids. They always know they will have something to eat when they get home and if they need to go out for something there is always a babysitter.
It’s interesting to think that so many people in the world are opposed to so many forms of marriage but support monogamous heterosexual marriage in which so many people get divorced. Kody Brown has been married to his first wife, Mari, for 20 years, his 2nd wife, Janelle, for 17 years, Christine, for 16 years and Robyn for 1 year. He is only “legally” married to his first wife Meri, but is spiritually married to the other 3.
A lot of problems have risen for the family as they are now under investigation for polygamy. Many people who don’t understand the lifestyle are worried that the children are being brain washed by the family’s beliefs. If you watch the show the family states that they give their children a lot more freedom in their choices then one would realize. The parents said that if their children want to marry into a polygamist lifestyle then they are supportive of it or if they want to marry into a monogamous lifestyle they are supportive as long as they are happy.
As you watch the family dealing with the problems of the investigation its hard to ignore how very similar the reaction of the public is towards them as they can be towards homosexuals. They are constantly hiding their lifestyle from so many people. They have lost jobs because of their lifestyle. They are working hard to life their life to be happy but face the prejudices of a country that’s meant to be a diverse one.
