Idk abt others but polygamy was definitely a thing among Bengali Brahmins at least well into the 19th Century. Women were labelled as 'greedy' if they expressed objections to their husband marrying a second time. 1/10

A 16-20 y/o woman who was a mother of two was considered an 'old woman' past her prime, and her 25-30 y/o husband would be encouraged to marry an 8-10 y/o girl. Even 80 y/old farts on their deathbeds were allowed to marry teenage girls as a last wish fulfilment. 2/10

These men charged dowry anywhere between Rs. 5 and Rs. 500 so many of them would also opt for a second marriage for financial security. There are cases of men having upto 40, 65, 82, and even 100 wives. Because it meant easy money. (source: http://Velivada.com ) 3/10

Ofc no one cared about the women involved in these marriages and they were gaslighted into accepting this arrangement. Even 'progressive' men would give them gyaan abt how 'sharing is caring'. How a good woman should see her co-wife as a sister and not as an enemy. 4/10

How she should allow other girls the opportunity to be with her husband, instead of having him all to herself. Obviously this didn't work the other way round. No man was ever expected to 'share' his wife, and even looking at another man, if ur a married woman, was a crime.5/10

Now I have nothing against relationships or marriages where both the partners consent to this kind of an arrangement. If you and your spouse are equally enthusiastic about a polygamous setting and if it is legal where you live, I say go for it. 6/10

However, these socio-religious systems which encourage men to take more than one wife make me uncomfortable. They remind me of the generational trauma suffered by women of my community until reformers like Vidyasagar, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, n later Babasaheb came to our rescue. 7/10

Recently a Muslimah expressed happiness about her husband marrying a second time and I'm genuinely happy for her. But I just hope other women in her community aren't guilt tripped into being okay with polygamy against their wishes. 8/10

I hope they aren't made to look at her as an ultimate example of a good wife and pressured into letting their husband have other wives, while ignoring their own feelings about it. 9/10

What a couple decides among themselves is none of my business but when patriarchal societies subtly influences people to make certain decisions, things become murky and a healthy discussion on such issues must be encouraged. 10/10