Polygamy

Sunday nights "Sister Wives" is shown on TLC.   Again a very interesting religion.  The family originally lived in Utah, where the Mormon faith is the strongest, but because of legal issues that arose with the premier of their show, they were forced to move to Las Vegas.  In Utah, the first 3 wives lived in a home that consisted of 3 apartments thus raising 16 children together.  Because he started courting Robyn after the show began, she lived down the street.  But once they moved to Vegas, they could not find a home big enough for them all, so they rented 4 seperate homes, thus making Kody move from home to home every evening.

This family consists of one husband, Kody Brown, and 4 wives.  3 of the wives; Meri, Janelle, and Christine, have been married to Kody for over 16 years.  He married Robyn approximately a year ago and just had their first child, a boy named Solomon in October, giving Kody 17 children.  Ironincally Meri is the person that has found each of the wives for Kody.  She and Christine were raised in the faith, but Janelle was not and chose to live this life.  In Utah, Meri and Janelle worked outside of the home, but once the show aired, Meri was let go from her job.  Christine has chosen to stay at home being a "mother" to all the children.  Since moving to Vegas, only Kody is currently employed.

The reason I have gone into so much detail is because if you have not watched the show, you need an understanding of the family dynamics.  Meri is the only legal wife with the others considered married as denoted by their faith.  And each considers themselves a wife of Kody.  The show, while speaks to the family situation and issues that they encounter, the main focus is the wives and how they live their daily lives.   They lean on each other when things get rough and believe me when I say, there are some jealousies that arise.  But through it all, the relationship between the 4 women is amazing. 

The oldest child, Logan, is 17 and a senior in high school and until October, the youngest was Truly, daughter of Christine. Each of the older children were asked during the interview in Boswton whether they will follow in their mothers footsteps.  Mariah, Meri's only child has stated she will.  The other ones; Logan, Mykelti, Madison, and Aspyn have said they are not sure, but at this time will not.

I have watched this show since the beginning and find it fascinating.  They experience the same problems that a normal would, from teenage dating and attitudes to sibling rivalry between the young ones.  Adding Robyn's 3 children from a previous marriage have added some stress.  The biological children did experience some problems.  I have not seen or heard any mention of Robyn's first husband and wish they would touch on the subject.  His perspective of his children living in this environment would be added to the show.

 Last night the family was asked to go to Boston to speak at several colleges answering questions about their faith and how they live.  The students were very polite and didn't ask any questions that might have caused discension.  And I was surprised at how open the family was with their answers.  I will continue to watch and update as the show progresses.