outline of Dr. Patricia Dixon on Polygamy

8/9/2019 outline of Dr. Patricia Dixon on Polygamy

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African American women

that practice polygyny by

consent.


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INTRODUCTION

Polygyny- the practice of having more than one wife or

mate at a single time.

Once a world wide practiced tradition

Declined after western expansion in the 15th century

estern laws prohibit African Americans the right of the

option to have a legitimate traditional polygyny

marriage.

!t could be a source to heal African American families.


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"easons for the practice

!. #ecessity

a. shortages of males due to war

b. $hortages due to number losses

!!. Philanthropic

a. %nsures that all women can get married

b. &ave children

c. 'e supported by a large family group

!!!. 'eneficial

a. (arger family leads to a smaller wor) load

b. (eaves time for mental* emotional* spiritual growth

c. +ore potential for economic growth


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"easons of western

opposition

!. "acism

a. Population control

b. 'ecause blac) people are more fertile

c. ould ma)e whites the global minority

!!. $exism

a. $upports the sexual exploitation of women

b. omen not able to marry end up having detached sexual relationships

!!!. ,apitalism

a. 'ased of the nuclear family structure* men support the women

b. ocused on people putting their labor into capitalistic super structures


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How the west obstructsthe practice of polygyny

I. Propaganda

a. Barbaric

1. It is practiced amongst savages

2. Code for black people

b. Inferior

1. onogyny is superior marriage form practiced by superior people

2. But concubines! prostitution! voyeurism and pornography was accepted

c. Immoral

1. Based on monogyny being what "od intended

2. #estern marriage is based o$ of "reco%&oman marriages

II. 'egal constraints

a. Illegal

1. onogyny is the only form of marriage given legal sanction

2. Polygyny is criminali(ed as )bigamy*


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Dr. Patricia Dixon on

Polygamy

https+,,youtu.be,-P/%i03I

https://youtu.be/9PxE-iQXFjIhttps://youtu.be/9PxE-iQXFjIhttps://youtu.be/9PxE-iQXFjI


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4he 5usar 5uset6ociety

I. ounded in 1-78 by &a 9n :efer 5men

a. Provides an alternate lifestyle for 5fricans in

5mericab. Based on traditional 5frican culture

c. Chapters based in :orth 5merica! the 9nited;ingdom! #est 5frica and the Caribbean

d. have communities comprised of all forms ofleadership with their own restaurants! grocerystores and schools.

e. Basic principle is to share the devine


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+arriages in Ausar Auset

!. Provide individuals with primary relationships within a family

a. +ates who help one another develop spiritually* help achieve one anothers incarnate

ob/ective* destiny* or reason for 0being

!!. (ove

a. $elfless behavior to one another

b. 2iving not see)ing in return

!!!. Oracle

a. A tool that allows one to communicate with 2od

b. 3hey guide every aspect of a persons life

c. Oracles are consulted to determine whether or not a potential is compatible and things the should wor) on.


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%ntry into Polygyny

I. #omen 3oining Polygyny in Ausar Auset

a. 5 husband and,or a wife must ask the 6hekhem about awoman then he or she may approach the potential wife.

b. 5ttraction for the husband is minimal in the addition ofthe second wife! the second wife is more interested inthe friendship she may gain with the =rst wife.

c. In some cases it is important for the secound wife toknow that is the =rst wife that wants her t 3oin the

family.d. 4ranscending conventional conditioning

e. Be secure

f. It takes a lot to accept polygyny and live in it.


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Personal !ssues* !nsecurities*

and Ad/usments

I. 5lready eisting wives might feel the new wife is taking their husband.

a. ain reason the didn>t want to invite new sisters into their homes

b. Insecurities can 3eopardi(e sisters friendships between one another

II. 4he idea of being with someone else>s husband

a. eelings of regretb. :ot legally married and not really feeling like a wife

c. Publicly stating they are married but signing legal documents as single

d. eeling isolated from the outside world

e. Being 3udged by people who don>t live the lifestyle

III. "oing from single to being married

a. 6haring personal space

b. aking decisions interdependentlyc. 5d3usting to di$erent personalities

d. "iving up one>s independence and ad3usting to a new family?s way of life

I@. eeling like an outsider once 3oined to the new family

a. "etting over that feeling

b. eeling ganged up on


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Aealousy

I. #ife relationship dynamics

a. 6isterly love

b. /strangement

c. Conicted

d. Clis function in the relationship is key

d. 6hould not take sides or show favoritism

III. 4ypes of 3ealousy

a. Aealousy of another wife>s relationship with the husbandb. Aealousy of relationships between other wives

c. Aealousy over children

I@. 5voiding 3ealousy

a. :ot discussing personal relationships you and your husband share

b. 4he husband has to keep things fair


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Conict &esolution

I. 4ypes of resolutions

a. racles that communicate with "od

b. Counselingc. amily meetings

d. #ifely meetings where only the wives meet

e. Communicating and not letting things fester

f. Changing for the betterg. 4aking care of the small things right away


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&eactions of families oforigin

I. How the family of origin respond to polygyny

a. rigin families can inuence whether the

marriage last or notb. 6ome will appose to a polygyny marriage and

some will be liberal about it.

c. 6ome will act as if it has not happened

d. ost fathers and mothers disagree with thelifestyle with the eception of a few.


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/conomic and legalmatters

I. InsuDcient money

a. 'ack of autonomy when making decisions on how money is spent

b. money is pooled for epenses and each person has or her own personal money

II. Eealing with =nances before marriage

a. 9nderstanding that one no longer is an individual and money earned becomes familymoney

III. inancial roles

a. 6ome mothers can be earners while others stay home with the kids

b. 4he Husband can work two full time 3obs

c. 4he wives can work at the family business

I@. 'egal matters

a. arital status

b. Property

c. Insurance

d. Property

e. taes


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#hat>s necessary forpolygyny to work

I. Interviewees suggestions

a. :eeds to be some larger spiritual%religious andsocial community support structure

b. pre and post marital counseling

c. 'egal matters! =nances and issues related tochildren should be discussed before marriage

d. /ach woman having their own space

e. #ives and the husband agreeing on bringing ina new wife into the family

f. #ives have to have a good relationship witheach other

Documents

outline of Dr. Patricia Dixon on Polygamy