[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by fruit_cake

hahahah, not quite what I had in mind

I'm not saying I'd personally choose to do it and I suppose marriages do need work and stuff like that, but some people seem wired to not be consumed by just one relationship, and I don't mean just in a sexual way, or even in a sexual way at all.

It seems to me that everybody has sides to themselves that are developed to their potential better with different people. Sometimes that is purely sexual but that's just a small part of any relationship, and conversely, often monogamous relationships between lovers or even just between friends can become very unhealthy and obsessional tbf... and completely unproductive and damaging for the individuals involved. Not everything is rosy on either side as far as I can see.

It may not be morally above board in today's societies but it shouldn't be illegal imo. I think people need freedom to choose their own lifestyles and this would be one of those freedoms

I understand what you're saying and that's fine but why the need to get married at all in that case? Why not just have different partners? It kind of defeats the whole purpose of marriage if you ask me and lessons what our society considers marriage to be. Also, I don't know how good it would be to bring children into that kind of situation either.

[fruit_cake]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I understand what you're saying and that's fine but why the need to get married at all in that case? Why not just have different partners? It kind of defeats the whole purpose of marriage if you ask me and lessons what our society considers marriage to be. Also, I don't know how good it would be to bring children into that kind of situation either.

um..I guess the need to marry binds those individuals into a relationship that they can't just treat as a 'throw away' relationship. I'd assume they'd all live together or at the very least some of them would live together and they would have some binding things that weren't just 'get up and walk away', just as any marriage would have.

I do share concerns with children, but maybe that depends again on how responsible those involved in the relationship are rather than the relationship style itself. Should lesbians or gays not be able to bring up children? I don't know but I really dislike that the state is making up our minds for us.

As long as there are no parties being hurt, then why should people not be able to live polyandric lives? or indeed any other frowned upon lifestyle for example gay or lesbian marriage?

Polygamous relationships have worked in many societies for years, so I don't see why polyandric ones potentially couldn't do the same.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by fruit_cake

um..I guess the need to marry binds those individuals into a relationship that they can't just treat as a 'throw away' relationship. I'd assume they'd all live together or at the very least some of them would live together and they would have some binding things that weren't just 'get up and walk away', just as any marriage would have.

I do share concerns with children, but maybe that depends again on how responsible those involved in the relationship are rather than the relationship style itself. Should lesbians or gays not be able to bring up children? I don't know but I really dislike that the state is making up our minds for us.

As long as there are no parties being hurt, then why should people not be able to live polyandric lives? or indeed any other frowned upon lifestyle for example gay or lesbian marriage?

Polygamous relationships have worked in many societies for years, so I don't see why polyandric ones potentially couldn't do the same.

Well, for me marriage is making a full commitment to one person and one person only. Making that commitment to more than one person lessons the original commitment imo. Gays and lesbians are still only committing to one person if they decide to get married.

It's fine to say as long as no parties are being hurt but I think the children are being put in a confusing and not as a stable family unit by having their mother married to multiple people and there is surely issues of jealousy from both the husbands and the children too.

I know other societies have this tradition in their society but usually those societies don't see women as equals as our society does.

[Ammi]

I don't know how well polyandry or polygamy work..as it isn't my culture nor is it familiar to me..and I have no interest in researching it. Imo it's not a good idea to attempt to introduce 'bits' of other cultures into yours unless it is beneficial to the majority and for very good reason..and although there may be some who would apprecaite it..I doubt it would be a majority. Our culture supports a single life partner and..although everything has flaws..on the whole..I think it works
..it makes no matter whether it be same sex partners..they are still exclusive to each other and form a family unit.
There are many aspects and tradition to other cultures..which, although I respect...I would not want to practise myself

[swinearefine]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I understand what you're saying and that's fine but why the need to get married at all in that case? Why not just have different partners? It kind of defeats the whole purpose of marriage if you ask me and lessons what our society considers marriage to be. Also, I don't know how good it would be to bring children into that kind of situation either.

Different people think marriage serves different purposes. I don't think marriage should exist at all, at least in a legal sense; I don't see why the government has to get involved in people's lives and dictate what can and can not be considered marriage... it just causes discrimination and unnecessary debating.

Really the purpose of marriage until recently was not about love, anyway, but more about money and power. I think it's a good thing that the purpose of marriage is evolving. Getting stuck in traditions can lead to very bad results.

Regarding children, I think they are able to grow up perfectly well in a multitude of atypical situations. I can't think of anything wrong with having a lot of people love and care for you.

[MTVN]

I don't really get the argument that it defeats the purpose of marriage or the tradition of it or whatever, marriage has always meant different things to different people and to different cultures, polygamy existed as the norm for marital relationships for centuries in a lot countries, and it still is for some people. The definition or perception of marriage isn't necessarily absolute or static, just ask the people campaigning for gay marriage