The practice of Polygamy is still illegal in the United States. However, the percentage of Americans who believe the practice is morally acceptable reached an all-time high in this year’s Gallup poll. Gallup first included Polygamy on the list in 2003 and since then, the percentage has risen from a disappointing 7% all the way to 20% in 2020.
The upswing has left researchers wondering why this is, and what it means for the future of Polygamy. Let’s take a look at how and why society has evolved over the last decade or so.
Polygamy Representation in Television
Shows with Polygamist characters began being introduced in the mid-2000s. However, they weren’t really portrayed in a positive light. In 2010, TLC premiered the show Sister Wives, which normalized a polygamist family and gave Polygamy a positive mainstream outlet. Since then, we have seen the community gradually gain some exposure. In fact, Sister Wives the dating website have actually contributed information to help tv shows such as Seeking Sister Wife on TLC and the “Modern Love” episode of This Is Life with Lisa Ling on CNN.
Researchers have noted that the premier of Sister Wives in 2010 coincides with the beginning of a slightly faster growth rate in acceptance for Polygamy. Even though correlation obviously does not equal causation, it does seem like the representation of Polygamist families on television has played a role here.
Evolution of “Traditional” Family Dynamics
In 2015, the LGBTQ community was granted the ability to have same-sex marriages. While Polygamy and other Poly lifestyles are not part of that community, and their journey is not ours, this nonetheless was a progressive step for America. While the “traditional” family dynamic is still the majority, there’s also been a rise in “nontraditional” dynamics. For example, more and more families are starting by having children first before getting married. Not to mention divorced families where there are two households as well as step parents that are commonly part of the mix.
Every family dynamic is different, and society seems to be slowly but surely becoming more accepting of that. There seems to be a trend of empathy on the horizon, especially thanks to the younger generations more empathetic and understanding feelings toward inclusion.
Millennials and Generation Z Are More Accepting Than Their Parents
Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, grew up with the rise of technology. This gave them more access to and information on communities that were different than them from a younger age. They also aren’t afraid to question and challenge societal norms. This trait is amplified, however, in their younger siblings and, for some, children: Generation Z. This generation, born between 1996 and 2011, is on track to be the most diverse and best-educated generation yet. Again, while this isn’t a direct correlation to Polygamy, it shows that generations are continuously becoming more and more accepting of diversity, which (hopefully) is a positive sign for the Poly community.
What This Means for the Future of Polygamy
In the last five to six years alone, we have watched America progress in many aspects. As previously mentioned, we have seen the last two generations become increasingly accepting of “nontraditional” lifestyles. Researchers believe that the newest generation, Generation Alpha, who are still children, will continue the tradition of becoming more accepting and actively supportive of what older generations only tolerate.
So how does this impact the future of Polygamy in the United States? We’re starting to see more and more Millennials in Congress. While being a Millennial doesn’t automatically mean you’re accepting of the Poly community, they’re, at the very least, less likely to oppose decriminalizing it and more likely to fight for oppressed communities.
There’s also been a huge increase in acceptance and practice of Polyamory and forms of Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM). We’ve even seen this in mainstream media, with InStyle publishing an article titled “Everything You Need to Know About Polyamorous Relationships” just a few weeks ago. There’s also been a rise in the popularity of Poly influencers, especially on YouTube and TikTok. We see this with Polyamory more than with Polygamy because it is more commonly practiced in Western society. Even though we have different practices, we are part of the same Poly community, and their acceptance could definitely lead to the acceptance and eventual legalization of Polygamy.
The point is: We are seeing levels of approval and even adoption of the Poly community rising with each generation. In 2020, we saw the first state in the US decriminalize Polygamist marriage. It’s not where we want to be, but it proves that people and lawmakers are listening to the conversation we’ve started. Let’s keep it going!
To Sum Up
Polygamy is still illegal in the United States, and probably will continue to be for the next several years. However, society is evolving, and there is research to prove it. People are becoming more receptive, open-minded, and supportive of individuals who live different lifestyles from them. The “traditional” family dynamic is starting to evolve to be more inclusive, and with the help of younger and future generations, it’s more likely than not that the Poly community will eventually have a seat at the table. Our community has been through a lot and deserves the same opportunities as any other healthy, loving American relationship. Even when the road ahead seems long and tough, remember that there is hope. All we can do is continue to comply with the law as we continue to have these necessary conversations and hope that the ideal of love is love will prevail.
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