A new study from Swansea University shows that 33% of men in the UK are open to the idea of multiple wives or long-term partners. In contrast, only 11% of female participants expressed approval of polygamy as long as the marriage was legal and consensual.
Researchers asked 393 heterosexual men and women in the UK how they felt about a partnership in which they shared a partner with someone else or shared a partner themselves.
The study asked participants about a relationship similar to polygyny, in which a man marries more than one woman, and polyandry, in which a woman marries more than one man.
Men were first asked if they would be willing to share their partners with more than one wife, and then asked if they would be willing to share their partners with another man.
The study, published in Archives of Sexual Behavior, showed that 9% of men said they would be willing to share their partner with someone else, while only 5% of women were interested in such an arrangement.
Research findings and gender differences
Dr Andrew Thomas, lead author of the study, said: "Comparing polygamy directly with polyandry, men were three and a half times more likely to say 'yes' to having more than one partner, while women were twice as likely to say 'yes' to having more than one partner, compared to twice as likely to say 'yes' to sharing partners with others."
Polygamy and polyandry are alternative forms of marriage involving multiple spouses, and their acceptance varies across cultures. In the UK, because the legal framework is based on monogamy, these practices are not legally recognized and are not widely accepted in mainstream culture.
In contrast, some cultures around the world historically and currently practice polygyny, where a man can have multiple wives, and polyandry, where a woman can have multiple husbands. These arrangements are often rooted in cultural, religious or historical contexts. For example, some societies in Africa and the Middle East have long traditions of polygamy, while some communities in Tibet and Nepal practice polygamy.
Dr Thomas added: "Committed non-monogamy has been getting a lot of attention lately. More and more couples are talking about opening up their relationships to letting others join in, and it's a hot trend. However, these types of relationships are far from new. While most people seek out monogamous relationships, there have been a small number of times in human history where monogamous relationships have been pursued. Some people have polygamous relationships, in which one husband shares with several wives. This study shows that a significant number of people are open to such relationships, even in the UK where such marriages are banned. Interestingly, more men than women are open to the idea - although both partners are interested."
Reference: "Polygamous Interests in Polygamous Countries," Andrew G. Thomas, Sophie Harrison, Justin K. Mogilski, Steve Stewart-Williams, and Lance Workman, November 29, 2023, Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Compiled source: ScitechDaily