Holy Matrimony?

        I agree with Deserah Alvarez’s point in her post Holy Matrimony, a man should have one wife. Shows about the Polygamists lifestyle are indeed multiplying on the small screen.  It's out there, it's being covered extensively, and people are interested.  I believe viewers are fascinated by the phenomenon. It's a “secret world” they want to know more and more about which is exactly why shows such as Sisterwives and Big Love exist. However, public opinion varies on the matter. I’ve heard some say it’s exotic; others say it’s negative, particularly under circumstances where uneducated girls who have been separated from the rest of the world are expected to take part in the lifestyle. The viewing audience doesn’t realize that these shows have subtle effects on society. Over time, these families are seen dealing with issues that your average family might face. How long would it take for Americans to become desensitized to polygamy? It could be reflected in how people vote if this issue were on the ballot in 2012. This observation may not seem likely, but I’ve read articles about studies that show how certain video games desensitize young children to violence. (click here to read article) And it’s my understanding that bigamy is rarely prosecuted, even if a family is flaunting it on national television. The practice itself is illegal in all 50 states. Though it’s associated with the Mormon religion, I was told by a Mormon co-worker that polygamy was abolished by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the late 1800’s.  As a country, we haven't quite wrapped our minds around this.  It goes straight to core American values. Polygamy asks us to think about religious freedom, the right to privacy, and are there limits to those rights?