But that’s not what the statistic points out. You need to know how women in nonpolygamous marriages are doing. If 70% of those need to find a job, then it seems first wives in polygamous marriages actually do better than their monogamous counterparts.

It’s probably not the case, but it would be dishonest to simply assume that the number is lower for monogamous marriages. I can’t find the study, but if the study didn’t look at that statistic, then it’s inconclusive, and poorly designed.

[Dude]: “I feel compelled to point out that the statistic is meaningless without knowing how many wives in nonpolygamous marriages seek other sources of income.”

Not really, given that (1) a common rationalization given for polygamy is that is provides economic security for women and children, and that it therefore benefits the entire society, and (2) women worried about polygamy are often assured that since according to the Shariah, men are bound to support all their wives and children, polygamy is supposed to be an exception and hence, nothing to be worried about.

The reality, as we can see from this study, is that men who “technically” aren’t entitled to practice polygamy because they can’t afford it find ways of doing it anyway, and that polygamy often enough results in more economic insecurity for women and children rather than less.

While such unpalatable realities are unlikely to change the minds of those who are committed to supporting polygamy for ideological reasons–when they are reminded of the suffering it often causes, they simply change gears and extol the rewards women will supposedly receive in the afterlife for patient suffering–it might make those who care about social justice think a bit.

I feel compelled to point out that the statistic is meaningless without knowing how many wives in nonpolygamous marriages seek other sources of income.

The Canadian Council of Muslim Women opposes the addition of “honor killings” to the Criminal Code on the grounds “murder is murder” and a special category could stigmatize new immigrants and some ethnic or religious groups.

I must say I more or less agree.

http://www.fair.org/blog/2010/07/16/burqa-ban-coverage-of-a-law-to-free-women-leaves-them-voiceless/