Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Sister Wives
Have any of you been watching this show on TLC or following the news stories? What are your thoughts on this- do you think Utah will prosecute the Brown family?
For some reason I've been fascinated by this whole polygamy situation and have watched every episode of the show, including the special interview that was on Sunday night. I know I couldn't share my hubby with another woman, but I wonder why Utah doesn't move toward legalizing it. There are thousands living this way in that state, so wouldn't it make more sense to be able to regulate it (for taxes, welfare, etc.)?? It makes me wonder how many of these "single" mothers are using the taxpayers' money to help support all of their children (receiving WIC checks, food stamps, free/reduced school lunch) when it should be the husband supporting them.
Discuss...
Re: Sister Wives
I watched them on Oprah and I think that if this is the way they choose to live their lives then let them be. It's not up to the state and the goverment to tell you how many relationships you can have. Heck, how many people live second lives with other women and children involved, ie, that miner who was trapped and his wife only found out he had a lover and other children by attending the vigil. At least this family is open with one another and no one seems to be being lied to or decived. They all seem open and happy. I feel the public has a hard time with it though and believes they must be brainwashed or something because it's certainly not a normal situation to the majority of the public.
As for the welfare, food stamps etc. According to them they all work with the exception of the "house mom" who I think is Christine maybe. Meri had been released from her job because of the show but planned to fight it or something. I think they are self sufficient. As for other people living that kind if life I can not say. I don't think any of them think of themselves as single parents but other people in that situation might. However all the children are his except Robyns so I supposed she could claim to be a single parent but I am not sure the rest of them could even though only one wife is legally married to him.
I had heard that he was going to be in trouble with the law because of the show, but I'm still puzzled as to how they can prosecute him (and I was a Criminal Justice major). He is only legally married to the first wife. Why can he not have a sexual/emotional relationship with other women (regardless of their income status... we should not go there, really)? Lots of guys do it behind their wives backs, and THEY never get arrested. It also seems like a violation of the 14th Amendment IMO (separation of church and state).
On the news story I saw they stated that under Utah law a person can be convicted of bigamy by legally marrying more than one person (I guess filing the marriage certificate) OR by living with someone as if they were married. So in Utah they could convict on the grounds that they all live together as husband and wives (except or Robyn who is in her own house). And according to the show, Janelle is the only wife that works outside the home (the 2nd wife). Meri is a student and lost her job when the show aired, and Christine and Robyn are SAHMs, so right now they only have Kody and Janelle's income.
So yes, they don't look at themselves as being single mothers but legally they are. That's why I was wondering about the issue of welfare or other assistance.
And yes, I totally agree with your take on their 14th amendment rights. I don't think the government should define what marriage is- I also support gay marriage. I really believe the religious and legal aspects should be separate (like in the UK for instance) so that you would have a civil ceremony to make it legal, and then if you so choose you could have a separate religious ceremony. I don't think the majority should force their religious views on the entire society.