In 2010 the statistics for US supporters of polygamy were around 7%, in 2015 that number jumped to 16%. This jump was mainly due to the premier of TLC’s series Sister Wives (Scwarz). A statistic was released in early 2015 stating that only 3.5% of americans identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. That is about eight million people (Pew Form). Present day 2016 57% of Americans support same-sex marriage, and 39% oppose it (Mordecai). If 16% of Americans are for polygamy, where does that put the number of those who oppose it? The legalization of gay marriage has raised many questions and concerns regarding the possibility of other infrequent practices becoming legalized, polygamy, however is not the next gay marriage. Why would polygamy be a bad thing? If three or more people want to get married why should they be prohibited from doing so? For one, Inconsistency, few studies have been conducted regarding the validity of polyamorous relationships. An overwhelming amount of
Small 7 these studies ended in split of the couples (Anapol). The effects these splits would have on children are too risky, and the whole definition of marriage would have to be rewritten. As William Baude of the New York Times stated, “Polygamy should remain illegal because it would increase gender inequality and social instability” (Baude). These the things The United States has worked so hard to instill into our society