The study of polyandry, polygamy, and polygyny reveals that certain religious practices can help to regulate jealousy among multiple wives while others encourage it. This article will explore how ritual and belief interact with the emotional lives of spouses in these types of marriages.
Jealousy is a natural response to perceived threats to an individual's relationship. It may arise when one spouse feels threatened by another, whether due to competition for resources or attention or because they fear their partner's affections are shifting towards someone else. In monogamous societies, this usually takes the form of possessiveness towards one's partner and a desire to keep them away from others.
In cultures where polygamy is common, jealousy often arises between the different spouses.
Polygamists who practice Islamic law must marry women of equal status and treat them equally. As a result, each woman expects to receive the same level of care and attention as her sister-wife. The Quran prohibits favoritism, leading to situations where all three women may feel anxious about their own place in the marriage. In addition, the practice of nikah mut'ah allows Muslim men to marry temporarily without having to provide financial support during the period of separation between two marriages. While this arrangement reduces the risk of infidelity, it also means that the couple has less time together before the end of the contract, which creates further anxiety.
In some Hindu communities, polyandry was once practiced to ensure that brothers would inherit land together. Women could marry both brothers without social stigma if they were willing to share property and other responsibilities. This system meant that all three wives received equal treatment and had access to shared resources. Unfortunately, today many families have abandoned this tradition in favor of monogamy, even though it offered practical benefits.
Some Christian groups believe that polyandry is forbidden by God. They see it as an abomination against the institution of marriage and argue that polygamy can only be justified when one man cannot find a mate due to age or disability. Others believe that a woman's role is to serve her husband exclusively and that she should not seek intimacy elsewhere. Such beliefs lead to jealousy among multiple wives because they feel that their emotional needs are being neglected while their husbands pursue new relationships with younger women.
In what ways does religious ritual and belief mediate jealousy, competition, and intimacy between multiple spouses?
There are several possible reasons why people engage in religious rituals and belief systems. One such reason is that it can be used as a way of creating intimacy between multiple spouses by providing them with shared values, symbols, and experiences. Religious practices may also offer individuals a sense of community and connection with others who share their beliefs, which can strengthen relationships between partners.