The Problem with Polygamy in Indonesia Essay Example for Free

The Problem with Polygamy in Indonesia EssayIntroductionPolygamy in Indonesia is legal. A humankind is permitted to have as m each as four wives under the Muslim law. But disrespect the low incident of polygamy in Indonesia, it has been a central issue in relations between the Indonesia women, and the landed estate in the twentieth century. Indonesia womens organizations have long wanted the state to legislate on this matter, til now it was most reluctant to do so until the passage of the marriage Law in 1974.After that the advance went out of the issue as far as womens organizations were concerned, although in very recent long time there has been a revival of interest. With respect to marital status, the census report stated that among Indonesians 75% of the adults males, and 68% of the adults females were married. However the number of married females was higher than the number of married adult males. The difference, amounting to 424,588 persons was in part repayable to the existence of polygamy. For Indonesia, approximately 25 % of the men had more than one wife (Salim 9).Why Polygamy Is Considered Wrong In IndonesiaIndonesia womens concern about polygamy are a complex mixture, touching on economic, emotional, social, knowledgeable, moral, legal and ghostly aspect of marriage. The core of womens concern was the threat of polygamy to a wifes love and egotism esteem. Men have been given power to do what they want yet women are the ones suffering.When a hubby took what is almost a younger girl as a new wife, repugnance at having to plow a husbands sexual life with an otherwise women, and the threat to the economic basis of marriage when resources had to be fete amongst more wives and children. Women in a polygamous marriage always feel inferior towards other women in the same marriage and it often lead to jealousy, frustration and at times death (Day 28-29).Why some(prenominal) Women Still Prefer Polygamy RelationshipsSome women still prefer polygamous relationship, if the man they are involved is a person of high position in a society. Sometimes you will hear women saying that its better to be married as a third wife to a rich man than a first wife to a poor man. Thats why at times you govern women getting into these unions, maybe because of money, or a high position that a man holds.Women have been know to be associated in this form of relationship without caring. We can conclude that this mostly happens due to marriage tribute purposes (Survival). Better incomes would mean that these women could get married according to their choice and reduce the economic pressure experient by women and children in polygamous marriages.Is Polygamy Related To Gender Discrimination In Indonesia?Ant-polygamist in Indonesia view polygamy as fundamentally undemocratic institution that perpetuates the subordination of women to men, and violates womens basic rights. Unlike other issues, polygamy touches on a range of issues relating to gender difference, most particularly that of power within marriage. The practice of multiple marriages occurs only in families where the husband holds tremendous power, while the wife and children are in a powerless position.In other words, it is seen as a form of violence against women and children, and that Indonesia law continues to discriminate against women in allowing polygamy to exist in any form. Why should a man be privileged to have more than one legal sexual partner while women were prevented to have more than one legal sexual partner? Women in these relationships are also prevented from getting out of this relationship in case of violence, due to lack of immediate gravel to divorce (Susan 110-113).ConclusionThroughout the years, education and legal reforms have been regarded by most interested parties as the best ways of dealing with the problems associated with polygamy. They are viewed as the best in addressing the social causes and consequences. Since the state is h eavily involved in education and legislation, it clearly has a role to play in dealing with the polygamy menace. cogitation CitedDay, Tony. Identifying with Freedom Indonesia after Suharto. New York Berghahn Books,2007. Print.Susan Blackburn. Women and the State in Modern Indonesia. UK Cambridge University Press2004 .printSalim, Arskal. Sharia and Politics in Modern Indonesia. Singapore Inst. of Southeast AsianStudies, 2003. Print.