Polygamy scandal. Are the children in danger? What's your take on the matter?
By dloveli
@dloveli (4366)
United States
April 25, 2008 7:09am CST
I was shocked by the entire polygamy scandal in Texas. After watching a segment on the Today Show, I became interested in researching how the whole mess came about. I think that as far as polygamy goes, to each their own. However, I began thinking about the children and their safety. I am upset at the idea of a child being regarded a woman upon her beginning to menstruate. When I say woman I mean marrying and starting a family woman. I know that thousands of years ago things were very different. THe life expectancy was shorter, they married and had families at younger ages. As technology grew, people and their values broaden. Women, african american and other minorities became equals. I dont think its right to think that every child with a period can be a wife. SHame on the men that choose these children. I think that the situation in Texas is almost at cult status. I love my children and I couldnt imagine giving them up to marry a much older man. I understand that these people have their own views and rights to live the way they choose. However, they have basically cut off the rest of the world. No matter what we think, someone did call the police and say they were scared and in need of help. WHen this happens in a normal marriage, police are expected to investigate if for nothing more than making sure the children are safe. I think its terrible the way they took the children from the compound. I also think the fact that not all of the mothers went with their children, after being given the option is an outrage! My children are my first priority before myself, my husband, and family. How can you tell me that somethings not wrong? Just by watching the women on TV you can see that they are not all there as far as their mental capabilities are concerned. I mean no disrespect towards the women. If my child was taken in such a manner it would be hard for me to contain myself. These women showed NO emotion. Thats ODD. What is your take on the situation?
2 people like this
6 responses
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I also saw a Today segment about the womand and I really felt sorry for them. They sounded very robotic and refused to answer the questions. When asked a question about the age girls are allowed to get married the one mother just kept repeating "I love my children and would never hurt them." If that doesn't sound like they're covering something up, then I don't know what it is!
I also am not big on butting into people's business and if that's how they want to live their lives that's fine with me, but I don't think it's right to force the children to grow up that way.
1 person likes this
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I have enough problems of my own to worry about others but like you I feel for the children. I am very openminded, but something in this specific situation doesnt seem right. If your proud of you lifestyle and nothing shady is going on then why the compound? There are hundreds of other families that practice polygamy and live off the land. These people may not want outside interference but they dont build huge compounds with security and what have you. I dont want people butting into my family life either. If you want privacy, you dont do the things this man has done. As I understand it the man that is at the head of this is in jail. His brother took over and that's where we are now. This man has something like 50 wives. If he really and truly cared about these women, why hasnt he spoke out in defense of his beloved. NOT!
1 person likes this
@chicospagal (180)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I agree. This is shocking all around. Between this ordeal and the "pregnant man" (transexual who kept his/her reprodcutive organs), I can't imagine raising children with this kind of stuff flying around the airwaves. Dont' get me wrong, I'm glad to be in the know about how sick and twisted this world is. I just wouldn't want to have to explain to a 5 year old what a polymist is, or why a "man" is having a baby.
There are so many children involved in this, and so much, "inbreeding," for lack of a more P.C. term...it will be interesting to see what all those DNA tests turn up.
My heart goes out to the kids and their brainwashed mothers.
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Its funny to think that when I was a kid, homosexuality was a big deal or inter racial dating. Now look. I am so upset that my daughter is subject to these issues on a daily basis and there is nothing we can do. Unless I lock her away. THere's a thought. lol
@chicospagal (180)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Good point. You want to know what's worse? The pro-"pregnant man" crowd use the same logic to justify that situation. They say "the thought of test tube babies was atrocious when it first came out, but now nobody blinks an eye at such infertility treatments." You can hardly compare the two, IMHO! It's a sick and twisted world we live in!
@jamie62476 (33)
• United States
29 Jun 08
This sick and twisted world is only going to get worse and as a parent it is getting harder and ahrder to keep kids on the straight and narrow, but as it is my responsibility to raise my boyz with morals and decency, it will keep at it.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I have nothing against Polygamy as long as no one is hurt, and as long as the women did it of their own free will. This "religious sect" in Texas was a cult, and the women and children were definitely being mistreated.
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I think that's what it amounts to. As I have stated before, If that man loved these women as much as we're supposed to believe then why dont we ever hear him speak out? I dont even know where he is. DO you? I know the first brother is in jail. If you find out PM me and let me know. Thanks for you response. I feel so bad for the children. It must be hard on them to have to contemplate being married at an early age, compete for attention(but cant make it obviuos), and now be without their parents. Imagine how the ones that are old enough to understand feel when the mothers didnt come with them and they have to watch the moms that did. Those women should be ashamed of themselves if for nothing else than this. From day one, a mother a child have a bond that no one can re-create. I dont care about brainwashing. A mother is a mother. With their religous conviction, they shouldnt be treating their children this way. These children need peace and quiet, idividuality, and the option to choose. Thanks for responding. dl
@barbiegirl13 (1588)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I agree with you on this. NO child should be considered legal to marry until they are 18 years old. These people's views are sick and twisted. They have robbed their children of innocence. These women who call themselves " mothers " do not deserve their children back. It is a mothers responsibility to protect their children. Instead they allowed grown men to abuse and impregnate their little girls. I can't stand to watch any of the media coverage it makes me sick. hopefully the government will be able to help these children get to a " normal " state of childhood.
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I do not get television or newspaper so I am not really familiar with all the details of the story - and surely there is a lot more to know than what I am about to base my reply on.
my thoughts - while I think polygamy is ghastly
how can they remove these children from their parents/s/s/s/s/s when adultery is wide spread all over this nation with narry an eyebrow raised anymore. I would love if adultery were still illegal - but if it is it certainly is not punished anymore....
also rampant is having children out of wedlock - so though these people are not married despite their belief that they are - how is it different than adultery and having children out of wedlock that is very common in our society?
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
26 Apr 08
What happened was that there was a polygamist family and the husband went to jail. His brother then took over the compound in Texas. Supposedly the authorities received a phone call from a young girl named "Sarah" she stated that she was forced to marry a much older man(58) and he beat her terribly while she is pregnant. They eventually raided the compound and took the children. THe authorities offered the mothers a chance to go with their children. A few went and most went back to the compound. This is just a very broad outline of the issue. According to the rules of the compound, once a female child began her period, she was married to men outside the compound. It was said the children these relationships had were sent to the compound. When they raided the compound there were over 400 children. The male children had to leave the compound. Go to other compounds. THis was to prevent inbreeding. I am upset at the huge generalization made regarding the young females. Not everyone is as mature as one another. I dont think it should be allowed that once you menstruate, you are ready to become a wife and raise a family. Some were as young as 14 years old. I love my children and would go to hell and back for them. I dont understand the women's rationalization on leaving their children alone in state custody. They had the option to be with them until the whole mess was sorted out. I hope this helps.
You really dont get newspaper or watch television? Please share? What do you do for hobbies? You seem like a very interesting person. You are lucky. You dont have to be shocked or upset by the terrible actions of others. Your children will not have to be introduced on a daily basis to sick individuals hurting people and our resources. Thanks dl
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
26 Apr 08
Unless I have been misinformed, dloveli, it has been my understanding that polygamy was outlawed in our country a long time ago. I think there's a good reason for that. As badly as I feel for all concerned, it is just wrong to marry off a child when they reach puberty. These girls have nothing to look forward to insofar as living any type of normal life. That is the problem that occurs when a segment of society cuts itself off from the rest of society-they begin to believe that they are a law unto themselves. If these people were truly religious and right-thinking they would cease flaunting the laws of the society in which they live. That's my opinion.
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
28 Apr 08
Since I have started this discussion, I have decided that I will research this matter in detail. I believe it is outlawed in the states. I am not sure though. I did think it was legal in Utah or somewhere. I am going to try and find out. I feel that marriage is hard enough between two people. It is a sacred union before god. I dont think he would condone this. I am not overly religous, but I think this is basic. I will let you know what I find out. dl
