ABSTRACT
Polygamy is a highly controversial issue, not only among Muslims but also among non-Muslims. Polygamy has been legally prohibited throughout western countries, including the USA. This does not mean, however, that it is not practiced in those countries. Some men may legally have only one wife, but they may have extramarital relationships or keep one or more mistresses in different places (de-facto polygamy). In addition, even though the majority of western people seem to oppose polygamy, some writers such as Altman and Ginat (1996), Kilbride (1994, 1997) and Cairncross (1974) suggest that a polygamous family is a viable alternative to the existing household arrangements such as extended, blended, nuclear, singleparent and gay/lesbian family structures. Kilbride (1994, 1997), an African American Roman Catholic, proposes plural marriage as an option to save neglected American children in cases of their parents’ divorce within monogamous marriage.
