10 Differences Between Bigamy vs Polygamy

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When it comes to marriage, what many people are used to is the union between two partners.

Many think anything apart from this concept has strayed from the norm. While this is not generally true, it is important to note that there are other types of marriages. Some of them are legal, while others are not.

Bigamy vs. polygamy are two different marriage concepts that have a few similarities. One of the features that makes them similar is that they involve multiple partners. However, they operate in distinct patterns even with more than one partner.

Regarding bigamy vs. polygamy, they mustn’t be misinterpreted for each other.

In this article, we will be looking at bigamy vs. polygamy. If you’ve heard of these terms before, it is normal to confuse the meaning of one term with the other.

What do bigamy and polygamy mean?

Bigamy vs polygamy are two marriage terms that bear some similarities to each other. To define bigamy, it is important to understand that it is different from the regular idea of marriage that almost everyone is used to.

What does bigamy mean?

Bigamy is defined as the marriage between two individuals, where one is still legally married to another person. It is crucial to mention that bigamy can occur in two ways it can be intentional and consensual or intentional and non-consensual.

When bigamy is intentional and consensual, it means that a spouse getting married to another spouse is aware that their present marriage is still legally binding.

On the other hand, a bigamous marriage that is intentional and non-consensual highlights a situation where the spouses involved are unaware of one another. If a bigamous marriage is unintentional, it means that the ongoing divorce process has not been finalized.

In societies where bigamy is illegal, those who practice it are seen as breaking the law. And if there are specific punishments for it, they are likely to face the music.

So then, what does polygamy mean?

When it comes to the meaning of polygamy, it is a spousal relationship where three or more people are legally married. Anytime the word polygamy is mentioned, many people believe it to be a union between a man and multiple women. 

However, this widespread polygamy relationship meaning isn’t true because it is a general term for people married to multiple partners.

Polygamy exists in three forms: Polygyny, Polyandry, and Group marriage. 

Polygyny is a marriage union where one man simultaneously has more than one woman. Sometimes, polygamy exists in religious circles where it is accepted, especially if the man can take care of everyone financially.

Polyandry is a marriage practice involving a woman with more than one husband. But polyandry hasn’t been as common as polygyny. 

Group marriage is a form of polygamy where more than two people agree to be involved in a marriage union.

To learn more about polygamy, check out Daniel Young’s book titled Polygamy. It explains the concepts of polygyny, polyandry and polyamory. 

Why is bigamy considered illegal?

One of the ways to highlight the illegality of bigamy is when the recipients of two legal marriages are unaware that the progenitor is married to another partner. Therefore, if the bigamist has two different marriage licenses, they are said to have committed a crime.

According to Christiana Njoku, a licensed professional counselor:

Loving one person while married to another is a deceitful act.

In a court, having two marriage licenses is a crime, and a person could face the penalty for this. When it comes to the punishment for bigamy, it is not the same across boards. In countries where bigamy is considered illegal and a crime, the punishment will depend on the peculiarity of the case.

For instance, the penalty could be more severe if the bigamist marries another partner because of what they stand to gain while still with the original spouse.

Also, anyone who remarries while trying to tie up loose ends in their divorce might not face tough punishment. The law will punish them for not being patient enough to complete their divorce process. 

10 major differences between bigamy and polygamy

Not everyone understands the difference between Polygamy and Bigamy because they are not concepts that come up frequently when dating and marriage are involved. 

As a relationship coach, Christiana Njoku noted that:

Polygamy is a balance of multiple loves in one heart, but bigamy is a harmful deceit that causes chaos.

However, studying their meanings and differences is important to add to your knowledge of various marriage patterns.

1. Definition

Bigamy vs polygamy has different definitions that make them different. 

What is bigamy? It is getting married to another individual while still maintaining a legal marriage with another person.

Many countries consider this a crime, especially when both parties are unaware of the marriage. Therefore, if an individual gets married to another without legally divorcing the first spouse, they commit bigamy.

In most courts, the second marriage will be declared illegal because the first one has not been legally terminated. Hence, to answer the question “is bigamy legal?” it is crucial to mention that it is illegal.

Polygamy is the marriage practice where one spouse simultaneously has more than one married partner. This involves engaging in sexual and romantic activities with these partners. In many settings, polygamy is a religious and societal practice. When people ask, “is polygamy legal,” it depends on the community.

2. Etymology

Bigamy is a word of Greek origin. It combines ‘bi,’ which means double, and ‘gamos,’ meaning marrying. When you join both words together, it means “double marriage.” Similarly, polygamy also has a Greek origin from the word polygamos. 

Even though Polygamous is a controversial concept, it has been practiced for a long time.

Related Reading: Religious Conflicts in Families: The Etymology and How to Solve Them?

3. Number of partners

The difference between bigamy and polygamy is amplified when we identify the number of partners one has under each of these. 

A bigamist definition places a limit on the number of partners that a person has under this arrangement. Bigamy exists when a single person has two partners that they are married to. 

On the other hand, polygamy does not limit the maximum number of partners one has. It is when one person has permission to marry an unlimited number of people. 

4. Social acceptance

Generally, both bigamy and polygamy don’t have a huge level of social acceptance that they enjoy when they are compared to monogamy. But polygamous relationships are sometimes allowed in certain communities, where a polygamist gets acceptance amongst like-minded people. 

On the other hand, a bigamist does not have a safe space or a small subset of the community where such relationships are usually allowed. Admitting this might land them behind bars. 

Related Reading: Developing Acceptance Skills in a Relationship

5. Scope

When it comes to the scope of bigamy vs. polygamy, they are quite intertwined. 

Polygamy has a broader scope than bigamy. This means that all bigamists are polygamists, but not all polygamists are bigamists. Bigamy doesn’t have a wide scope because it is often considered a crime.

6. Legality

Regarding the legal status of bigamy, it is recognized as a crime in many countries that recognize monogamous marriages. Therefore, in a country where monogamy is mandatory, bigamy means getting married to an individual while still legally married to another person.

Even though the person is in the process of revoking their initial marital status, they are still considered to be legally married until the divorce process is concluded. In some countries, it can attract a prison term when you are caught practicing bigamy.

Some countries where bigamy is illegal are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the United Kingdom, the United States, etc. In some countries like Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Somalia, Philippines, Bigamy is legal for only men.

On the other hand, polygamy is when you’re married to more than one spouse, and everyone involved is aware. Unlike many countries where bigamy is criminalized, the case is different from polygamy.

This means that polygamy is illegal in some places but practicing it doesn’t attract punishment like a jail term. Therefore, before practicing polygamy, determine your location’s legal status before making a decision.

7. Households

Concerning the concepts of households, bigamy vs polygamy are much different from each other. In bigamy, there are two households involved. Going by the definition of bigamy, the individual is married to two different individuals and keeps two families who do not live together.

The households in a bigamous marriage are treated as two independent entities. Neither of them has any connection with the other.

So, what is the difference between a bigamist vs polygamist household?

In comparison, polygamous marriages maintain one household. This means that if an individual is married to more than one person, they will live together. In cases where the provision for living together isn’t enough, they might live close to each other or far away, with both parties aware of their existence.

As Christiana Njoku suggests:

Polygamy works when everyone involved understands and tolerates each other, with love guiding the way.

Additionally, the households in Polygamous marriages are quite dependent on each other. Some of them end up being close to one another, depending on the type of leadership exhibited by the progenitor of the union.

Related Reading: How to Divide Household Chores Fairly in Marriage

8. Knowledge

When it comes to the knowledge of a Bigamous marriage, it can be in two forms, consensual and unintentional. If it is consensual, both parties are aware that there is a present marriage with legal binding.

For instance, a bigamous marriage is consensual when a married man informs his new partner that he has a family. In addition, his present family would be aware that he is about to get legally married to another partner.

On the other hand, if a bigamous relationship or marriage is unintentional, the pending divorce of the first marriage has not been finalized. This is why it is considered illegal in some quarters. For Polygamous marriage, everyone is aware of the inclusion of a new partner.

Hence, for instance, when a man wants to marry another partner, his present partner is aware. Even though their consent is not sought, the new marriage will still stand.

9. Types

Presently, there are no known types or categories of bigamy. However, some people refer to bigamy as being consensual or intentional. The case is different from polygamy, as this union has documented types.

Generally, there are three types of polygamy: polygyny, polyandry, and group marriage. Polygyny is a union where a man has more than one woman as a wife. 

Many communities frown at this type of marriage because they feel the man might not have all the resources to cater to a large family. More so, there are indications that conflicts would occur more frequently.

Polyandry is the direct opposite of polygyny. A marriage situation is where a woman shares a marital union with more than one husband.

While group marriage is a form of polygamy where three or more individuals agree to enter into a romantic and committed union. This type of marriage ensures that they collaborate on everything that should make a marriage work.

Related Reading: 9 Different Types of Polyamorous Relationships

10. Religion

Generally, no religion or society accepts bigamy because it is perceived as a wrong thing to do. However, polygamy is well-recognized in some circles. Some religions do not frown at the practice of polygamy.

When you closely observe the similarities, you will realize that both polygamy vs bigamy involves an individual being unionized with more than one partner at the same time. Hence, before polygamy is practiced, bigamy takes place.

David L. Luecke’s book titled Marriage Types explains marriage and compatibility as a whole.

To learn more about the real reason why people get married, watch this video:

Conclusion

After reading this bigamy vs. polygamy post, you now fully understand that marriage is beyond two people getting married. 

Hence, before engaging in any relationship or marriage, verify if you are doing the right thing. If you are involved in bigamy vs. polygamy marriage, consider going for counseling to have a successful union.

You can also go for marriage therapy if you are trying to assess what kind of marriage would work for you and the different aspects of marriage itself.