Plural family vs. polygamy. This is the choice here. I just watched Oprah's show on polygamy (you note my choice) and she used the term plural family, informing us that that is the politically correct term. Now see, I don't mind political correctness that is also semantically correct. Like "African-American" vs. "black." Whatever you think of that, you have to admit that "African-American" is a correct definition. Those people are from Africa, originally. And frankly, none of them are even close to having black skin: they have brown skin. So "black" isn't even accurate as a description.
But polygamy is a correct term. It means a marriage with more than 2 people. It covers a woman with more than 1 husband (polyandry) and a man with more than 1 wife (polygyny). Plural family is just a vague phrase that could mean anything. When Dale and I visit my parents at Thanksgiving, will their house temporarily hold a "plural family?"
Can we just call it what it is and let that be that?
See, I'm thinking that prettier phrases are being created in preparation for a push to legalize, or at least decriminalize, polygamy. I mean, heck, that's what every single guest, including the woman who "escaped" (her word, not mine) her polygamous marriage, wanted: the decriminalization of polygamy. And one of the wives made the exact point that Dale and I have been talking about: with all the alternative lifestyles in America, why not this one?
So, aside from the Christian view that marriage is a sacrament between a man and a woman, what's wrong with non-abusive, non-pedophiliac, polygamy? Is there something inherently abusive about any form of polygamy? Is it possible for a feminist to want to be someone's third wife?
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Could we just stop avoiding all political and social blunders by changing the English language? I get so weary of all the weird ways people try to use language.
Our language is full of excellent words, that people don't know or choose to ignore for some indefinable reason.
I agree. "Plural family" could mean anything from an extended "traditional" family to gay parents with children to polygamous families to well, most anything.
Calling it Polygamy is perfectly useful nomenclature that carries no moral judgment. Changing the word will not change the attitudes that people have toward polygamy. It just hides the prejudice behind supposedly acceptable teminology.
Whether you love it or loathe it, call it what it is, "Polygamy."
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