Polygamy

Polygamy is another fairly well-known, albeit less common, format. It is a form of official marriage where one participant has multiple spouses. Polygamy is generally sanctioned by state law — for instance, in one form or another, it is allowed in about 50 countries worldwide. It is often based on the religion or traditions of a particular people. Among the advantages of such a format are sometimes mutual aid and cooperation, mainly among women. However, the drawbacks prevail: Polygamous unions are generally inequitable. Power is often concentrated in the hands of the 'main' partner (usually a man), while the 'secondary' partners (typically women) suffer from abuse.