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Polygamy in Dialogue with Ethics: A Case Study of Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria
Abstract
The critics of polygamy did not consider the relativity of culture involved
in this aspect of marriage. Polygamy is not an immoral act in the ethical
values of the people of Isiala-Mbano. Oral interviews were conducted on
men and women who practice polygamy and monogamy in the three clans
of Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria; personal
observations and related textbooks were also used in this work. All human
rights groups (Women Action Network, and Convention on the Elimination
of all forms of Discrimination Against Women ‘CEDAW’), churches, and
individuals advocating for women against their involvement in polygamy
should go back to research on the cultural and ethical values of the people
on reasons for marriage, and polygamy. All the advocates of a ban against
polygamy are doing the institution a disservice as they disregard the
ethical theories of each cultural group of the society. They should not
make a faulty generalisation from the western cultural point of view.
Monogamy is imposed on the people of Isiala-Mbano by the colonial
administration with their teachings to school pupils and preaching to their
converts in their churches. Instead a western method of politics was
introduced which is now running the country down with inefficiency,
indiscipline and corruption. The people of Isiala-Mbano resort to polygamous marriages because single parenthood is frowned at and the
surest way of getting into the fulfilled life is by marriage or polygamy if
necessity calls for it.
in this aspect of marriage. Polygamy is not an immoral act in the ethical
values of the people of Isiala-Mbano. Oral interviews were conducted on
men and women who practice polygamy and monogamy in the three clans
of Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria; personal
observations and related textbooks were also used in this work. All human
rights groups (Women Action Network, and Convention on the Elimination
of all forms of Discrimination Against Women ‘CEDAW’), churches, and
individuals advocating for women against their involvement in polygamy
should go back to research on the cultural and ethical values of the people
on reasons for marriage, and polygamy. All the advocates of a ban against
polygamy are doing the institution a disservice as they disregard the
ethical theories of each cultural group of the society. They should not
make a faulty generalisation from the western cultural point of view.
Monogamy is imposed on the people of Isiala-Mbano by the colonial
administration with their teachings to school pupils and preaching to their
converts in their churches. Instead a western method of politics was
introduced which is now running the country down with inefficiency,
indiscipline and corruption. The people of Isiala-Mbano resort to polygamous marriages because single parenthood is frowned at and the
surest way of getting into the fulfilled life is by marriage or polygamy if
necessity calls for it.
