This Sunday night, TLC will introduce the world to polygamist Kody Brown, along with his three wives Meri, Janelle and Christine and their combined 13 children.
“Sister Wives” shows how the Browns attempt to navigate life as a normal family in a society that shuns their lifestyle. From their unconventional family structure and living arrangements to financial challenges, each half hour episode shows the inner workings of a polygamist household.
In the first episode, Kody announces plans to take on another wife and her three kids – and although expected, the news is met with mixed feelings. Meri, Janelle and Christine were married before starting families so all of the children grew up as siblings. The wives have established their own role within the household and worked together to maintain a cohesive, loving unit. Bringing on a fourth wife could easily disrupt the balance. The series will chronicle the growing pains as Robyn and her kids assimilate into the family and the wives work through the insecurities and uncertainties that are inevitable to their chosen way of life.
Will you be watching? Share your thoughts about the show with us.
I have this set to record. Not sure I will be able to watch it tonight but will try to tomorrow. I am kind of looking forward to it.
Biblically the lifestyle they are living is wrong–I won’t be watching!
I won’t be watching. It’s just not a lifestyle that I personally can accept. We’ve had our own group in our state and it’s been nothing but a nightmare from day one and the stories I’ve seen and heard about young girls being forced into marriage from that sect and others is something I just can’t accept.
I will be watching. I am all curious and nosy. I had no idea it started tonight. Thanks for putting up the post. I would have missed it.
I will be watching to see how they live finacially. TLC is paying this family and with all those children are there trust funds set up for all of them? I did see that some of the women work, but will have to see how this goes. Will come back and comment after the show.
Yeah I admit it. I will be watching. I have always have had a weird curiosity about plural marriage. I don’t agree with it, would never do it, but still seem to end up watching this stuff anyway.
Are the three wives ACTUAL sisters?
I’m watching The Brave One (Jodie Foster) for about the 3rd time instead of Sister Wives. Vigilantes must appeal to me more than polygamists. 🙂 Seriously, though, I’ll be checking back on this thread to see what folks thought, but I didn’t really want to watch it.
I have not seen the show yet but I read the article in People magazine this week and I am pretty sure they are not actual sisters.
Will just put my two cents in about this show. Simply stated, I will not be watching . I personally don’t care to know any more about these people than I already know. I disagree with their lifestyle and will not be a part of promoting it by watching.
I watched the show, some parts were confusing, never saw him go to work anywhere. He said on the Today show he was a salesman. The family does not seem to have the drive of a family working together, but this was only the first show. At the end another sister wife was maybe going to come into the family with 3 more children. One Mom was going to school, but she never left the house, all on computer, one worked and said she loved going to work and someone else taking care of her kids and doing her evening meals. The other one is pregnant which will be the 13th child born to the same Father. I really don’t know if I will watch the show, it’s rather boring, the kids were doing nothing fun, living in their own world, attending a school who all have plural families.
The three wives are not actually sisters. That’s how they refer to each other. The house they live in is something else. Huge, w/each wife having their own space. It seems like a very expensive lifestyle. Especially, factoring in the care of all of the children. These particular children were home-schooled until just recently. They now attend a private school that is for polygamist families.
I like the women. The husband seems like a ditz. There was a lot of information as to their daily lives. But, it’s hard to characterize any of them from just the one show.
Biblically, what the man is doing is allowed in the Old testament. And other religions practice polygamy. Why can’t he?
I’ve not watched it yet (I’ll try to in the morning). I don’t have an issue with the polygamy being practiced being against the Bible, since I’m not religious. I think polygamy as practiced in the U.S. (primarily by Mormons and, when the Mormons outlawed it, fundamentalist offshoots of Mormonism) is problematic in that it seems to involve exploiting young girls and discarding young men (i.e. the “lost boys”). Other than that, it’s not conventional but I don’t think people should be barred from living that way, though I don’t think legal marriage needs to be extended to second “spouses”, either. I also do disapprove of those groups where the non-legal wives and their children receive public assistance. I mean, I don’t judge people for being on welfare in general but when there’s a deliberate scamming of the system (claiming the father isn’t in the picture when he is) and when there are deliberate plans to conceive far more children than you can afford to raise, then I do have some judgment about that.
God allowed more than one wife in the Old Testament because of “the hardness of their hearts”. It was NOT God’s plan. Then Jesus came and you will read in the New Testament that more than one wife is called ADULTRY, and definetely NOT sanctioned by God.
To me this just seems like a brothel disguised as a “family”.
TLC is capitalizing on people’s interest into other’s lives that differ from the norm.
Polygamy is just a way for a man to “get away” with being sexually involved w/multiple women. While I won’t be watching, one aspect that would be interesting to see is the self-esteem or lack thereof that these women possess.
I admit I watched some of it at 2 ish when I couldn’t sleep. Too weird for my tastes. I also watched the 19th Wife a couple of weeks back. When one wife gets old/boring you just get another younger model.
Rhonda
Just watching the YouTube promo was enough for me. A fairly handsome young man, driving his $90+k Lexus, in his Brooks Bros. garb…to his harem? Yeah, that’s a religious man who might just be cruising for a reality check of a different kind!
I suppose each wife will soon have their own Twitter account w. all their juicy behind the scenes gossip. YUK!
It was actually quite interesting. They were pretty normal as their kinda normal goes. The women were basically in charge of the house and he just kind of shows up! It was definitely a different kind of show than how it was portrayed. They live in their own apartments with in the house and have their own lives. One is going to school, one works full time and one watches the kids. I’m curious how the dynamic is going to change when they add the fourth wife and her three kids.
Their lifestyle is not for me. BUT. I am not them. It seems to be a good fit for their type of personalities. The whole thing was the wives idea.
I’d rather: I TOTALLY agree with you! Polygamy is definitely man’s way of getting around God’s law and making it SEEM like it’s OK.
Yes, HB , He will have a shock someday–I agree. I feel bad for the children. Even though this “family” thinks they are teaching their children about God, it isn’t Biblical and therefore they are teaching them wrong things. It is sad.
I too, will not be watching.
Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh
This was stated in defense of the sacredness and exclusivity of a monogamous marriage. The Old Testament of the Bible gives plenty of examples as to why a polygamist marriage will bring problems and temptation. Solomon is a classic example of this. Also Abraham’s household is a great example as well. Another less known example would be Elkanah and his wives, Hannah and Penninah.
Along with most of you, I do NOT agree with this lifestyle… however, I did watch out of pure curiousity. The whole idea of someone being OK with sharing their spouse is just fascinating. They did seem fairly “normal” throughout the show, but I just kept thinking “This is really WEIRD” the whole time. I just don’t understand how the wives can think this is OK. I don’t know if I’ll watch again… but we’re not a Neilson household, so if I do watch it won’t increase the ratings! haha
On a related note, I randomly saw part of a documentary on a polygamist family in Canada a few nights ago and one of the things they talked about was how the Mormon polygomy movement started… It’s rumored that one of the big shots in the Mormon community, Joseph Smith, was caught cheating on his wife and suddenly proclaimed that he had recieved this revelation from God stating that they were to sanction plural marriages. I’m not 100% sure of the facts, as I was only half watching, but that kind of goes along with what Mom of KT and I’d rather said (which I completely agree with).
I want to know what HE really does for work!! Looks like maybe some of them received the welfare system before one went to work. Even on a salemans job, no way could just two incomes give this family the lifestyle that they are living in. IMO.
He also just looked at the women with a face of disgust when a few things were said. Did anyone else see this??
I just finished watching. I will watch the next one. Snickers, I am not sure if the look was one of disgust or more of surprise. I noticed the look when Meri said she had jealousy issues. What woman would not?
I thought it was very strange when they had the family meeting where he was announcing that he was “dating” a new woman and he kept saying to the little ones – “remember when you were playing with Robyn’s daughter?” “Did you like playing with her?” I kept saying to myself – my kids enjoyed playing with other kids also – that didn’t mean they wanted those children to move in with them!
Kody just seems a little out of touch to me regarding the family as a whole but there wasn’t enough of the show to get a real opinion about him.
I liked every single one of the wives – as far as I could tell. I do realize they are probably all on their best behavior.
Although I would never want that life style, I honestly do understand why the women become attached to each other. I am sure they must find more emotional support from each other than they would from a man who must be exhausted (if you know what I mean.)
Polygamy is against my religion. I understand why. Even when grown women willingly agree to be unequal partners in a marriage, their decision still affects the children. The kids belong to one of the moms and they know it. No husband can treat all of his wives exactly the same way. One wife will get more attention or seem to wield more influence with the man. Perhaps one woman has more children, or a favored child, or a more quiet, calm supper table, or better food, and he unwittingly spends more time in her apartment. Whatever it may be, inequality will surface. The women may not mind, but most kids feel protective of their mother (a lesson many Kate critics forget.) I am most concerned with the disquietude such a lifestyle will have on some of the children. They deserve two parents, and no other adult competing for their mother’s or father’s affections.
I am also basing what I say on what I have seen among children I’ve known. I’ll never forget the six year old who introduced me to the term “baby-mama.” She was not from a “polygamist” family, but one of many children fathered by the same man. He alternated between his baby-mamas just as a polygamist might. It was unsettling and anxiety-inducing in the child and some of her half-siblings. She was very jealous, very angry. She’s not the only one. I have seen it too often to approve of the lifestyle, or to say that it is just the concerns of consenting adults. JMO.
Forgot to add- I didn’t watch.
Ann, no wonder you have a blog. Well said, & wish I could put my own thoughts together as well as you so often do! THANK YOU! ;0)
Notamomma: I wasn’t going to go so far as to give Biblical examples and verses–BUT I AM SO GLAD YOU DID!
I did watch, it was weird. Not sure what I was expecting.
Just want to say at the outset, that I do have the utmost respect for those who have religious or philosophical reasons for not condoning this lifestyle and believing it is very wrong. Many of you have articulated that very well. That said, I did watch and I found it compelling.
CraftyMomof3 — yes, I agree, they were pretty normal for their normal. I think TLC did seek out a family that didn’t have a lot of dark secrets. I liked the fact that all three women were apparently “married” to Kody before any of them had children. It put things on a more equal footing (if that can ever be the case). I felt for Meri, the wife who was only able to have one child. Even though she articulated that she was over it, I am sure there were some tough years there seeing the other wives pregnant. In general, I liked all three wives and I am still deciding on Kody!
I thought the Kody and the wives said the right things that I wanted to hear in terms of the children being able to choose their own lifestyle. It is a little hard to tell this early in the series how much socialization happens outside of their small polygamist community.
Pam, I thought the same thing you did re: Kody’s “big announcement” that he was courting Robyn. The whole thing was set up in such an odd way and his bringing up the fact that his kids liked playing with Robyn’s kids was just….bizarre!
I don’t think marrying Robyn is a good idea. Despite what people may say, their family does seem to be functioning well and bringing another wife (younger too!) into the mix does not seem prudent. Did anyone remember Kody indicating he felt he was being called to marry Robyn?
Now that I think about it, there really wasn’t much discussion of their religion and their specific beliefs – I wonder if that will be touched on later – ?
I thought the family was pretty well set. Seemed to get along well. Nice home. Healthy and loving children. What is the reason for bringing in another wife? Did anyone catch that?
I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say that wanting a younger, pretty, vibrant women in the mix again did not cross my mind.
Uh-oh!! http://www.people.com/people/news “Police Investigating Sister Wives for Felony Polygamy”
Wow, I didn’t see that coming. I kind of wondered about that but they seemed like the legal part of it all was no big deal.
I thought that hiding behind their religion would give them a free pass. Interesting to see poke my eye outs post. Wasn’t their a similar case a few years ago who went on a major news shows, and nothing happened to him.
I’dRather, Wow, thanks for the info. I’m so surprised. I thought it was only illegal if they tried to actually get a license. Surely, they didn’t do that. If they’re all just living together, that shouldn’t be illegal.
I liked the fact that all three women were apparently “married” to Kody before any of them had children.~Anya
I was surprised by that and I agree it must have been an aid in their dynamics. I am wondering how often that situation happens. They mentioned it several times, so I wonder if that makes them an exception.
Just want to say at the outset, that I do have the utmost respect for those who have religious or philosophical reasons for not condoning this lifestyle and believing it is very wrong. Many of you have articulated that very well~Anya
Nicely said Anya. I feel the same way. I think it’s great we can have discussions and differ so greatly in opinion.
I watched it this morning. It started off a little forced, everyone seemed kind of uncomfortable on camera and self-conscious, and Kody (who I don’t find too appealing) seemed to be playing to the camera – ruffling the kids’ hair, rubbing the wives’ backs. I don’t know, it just felt forced.
But as the show continued the family seemed to settle down. I like the wives all pretty well (especially the third one; her thing about toasters was funny to me). The kids are cute. I agree that this is a more “normal” face of polygamy compared to the ones where the wives all wear the old fashioned dresses and matching poufy hair. I felt like make the religious aspect was played down for the camera; I agree that it’ll be interesting to see if it gets more play in future episodes.
I was suprised by the attitude of all of the parents towards their kids’ future – they said they were okay with their kids not even being religious; they just wanted them to be responsible members of society. I thought that was a good attitude.
I have some discomfort, obviously, with the dark side of Mormon fundamentalism – the exploitation of young girls and the discarding of young males seen as “competition.” Also, I feel like if you believe in polygamy, what’s good for the goose should be good for the gander – why is it always one husband and several wives? (Actually, my uncle was involved for a few years in a one woman + several men polygamous relationship, but that wasn’t religious; it was just Marin in the 70s.)
That said, assuming no laws are broken (no bigamy or welfare fraud), and there’s no marrying of young girls, coercion or exploitation, I have a live and let live attitude. I can see why it would appeal to some people. While I don’t doubt that the idea of having more than one woman is probably a factor for some of the men in such relationships, the fact is that it’d be a lot easire, probably, to have an affair. These men marry these women, they have children with them, they build a life with them. There are clear financial and emotional commitments. So I wouldn’t reduce it to simple lust. For whatever reason, this is what they believe in, and I don’t have to understand or approve to say that it’s really none of my business.
As for the damage to the kids – I don’t think it’s the ideal upbringing. But most upbringings are unideal in some way or another. The parents in this show seemed like good parents.If I’m right about that, then I think the kids will likely be okay, unconventional upbringing notwithstanding.
I’m sorry, I misquoted the People article as saying “Felony Polygamy” it should read “…Felony Bigamy”
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20429667,00.html
I was eagerly awaiting this show and hoping it would show polygamy in a positive light. I think it did.
My main concerns about it were whether the kids would be made fun of at school once the showed aired and whether the wives would be submissive although I definitely didn’t see that in the previews. I felt better knowing that the kids school peers are also from polygamous families.
I really liked the attitude of the third wife. She came from a polygamous family, she loves the lifestyle, she entered into the relationship voluntarily and as a third wife which was her goal. She is outspoken and has no qualms telling her husband what she needs. I thought it was funny that she said she wanted sister wives almost more than she wanted a husband. I think she is a positive example of a sister wife and a good representative for polygamy.
I thought the house was fantastic and found it interesting that it was built by a polygamous. Allowing each family to have their own space helps reduce conflict I think. I guess they’ll have to build an addition for the fourth wife.
It’s funny how different people see different things. I wanted to see a happy, normal polygamous family so I guess that’s what I was looking for. Some of the children’s concerns about taking on a fourth wife were not such a big deal to me. But, of course, the family would present themselves in the best light. People who started off with a negative opinion about polygamy seem to have seen only that part and missed all the other good things. I will have to watch more and see whether my opinion changes.
Teresa E,
I agree with you on a lot of this and I came away seeing a normal, happy family also.
The big deal to me regarding the children and the fourth wife had nothing to do with the children’s concerns. I didn’t really hear them expressing many concerns. I just thought that is was very strange the way Kody kept saying…”you enjoy playing with Robin’s kids” over and over. There is so much more that comes into the mix for children when you are introducing new people that will be so involved in their life than whether they enjoyed playing with them. I just felt that Kody appeared to be really quite nervous and a little out of touch when talking to them about “the big event.” One of the wives seemed to be more in touch with knowing what they seemed to want to hear. I guess that is pretty typical in any marriage.
Most of the people who watched the show on this thread actually were pretty positive about it, myself included. I want to see more.
I just can’t wrap my head around the whole polygamy thing. Not my thing. Totally goes against my belief system. I only saw a commercial for the show and will not be watching.
The children’s reactions about a potential fourth wife, to me, were not overly negative. But maybe that’s because the only thing I really know about polygamy is what I have read from books like Carolyn Jessop’s (I forget the title but its negative)
But what I noticed was that, firstly, the kids felt comfortable enough to express concern. In the polygamous families that I have read about, kids and wives are not allowed to express their opinions. Secondly, that when one of the girls said she thought it would be wierd. Someone (I think it was one of the wives) was interested enough to ask her to elaborate on her opinion.
I have the same opinion as Jennie. If the wives entered into the relationship voluntarily and they and the kids appear happy then I don’t have a problem with it.
I will definitely keep watching.
I’m perplexed by the police investigation. I dislike selective prosecution. It turns into persecution. It’s like “don’t ask, don’t tell”. I read that he is only legally married to one of the women, so I don’t see where there is a case. If someone has not obtained a legal divorce and marries or secretly has legally wed other women, I see and agree that is wrong. This investigation seems unnecessary to me. There’s not a lot of info out there though.
Jennie, the wife who had the hangup w/toasters was funny to me too. I got a chuckle when one of the kids mentioned that burning the toast was more of a fire-hazard. I liked the women and want to know more about them.
There are two new shows on tonight. Just happened to catch that on the guide. I will be watching.
Really Ladies?….you are obviousy not giving this “wanna be” man the sexual experience to connect with only one of you! He looks like a used car salesmaN I bet in 3 years you will all tell him to go to hell….where he has chosen to go based on hin EGO….I pray for all of you. Let him go!!!!
That’s okay, I really don’t need anyone to pray for me, but thanks for the offer!
Lily I watched them both. Ameritech made some good points to Jody. Let me know what you think when you’re done watching.
I think Janelle is talking to the Sister Wives but I could be mistaken.
LOL I think you’re right Pam. Shouldn’t post before I have my coffee. 😉
hm.weridman. and women. poor children
I watched the first ep last night and am about 2/3 of the way through the second. I still find myself weirdly non-judgmental about these folks’ lifestyle. I feel bad for the wives that have a hard time with it (Meri, chiefly, but I think to some degree it’s tied up in her fertility issues), but I have no moral issues with choosing this life. I stopped the second ep right around where Kody was saying how revolting he found the idea of sharing his wife with another man, and that really is my biggest issue with the polygamy they practice – it’s one man, many women. But he at least acknowledged the seeming hypocrisy of it.
I wish they would talk more about the religious reasons behind their choices. It would give those choices some context (even if I don’t agree with those religious reasons).
It was good to see Kody commend and approve of his oldest daughter’s choice of choosing a military career. They don’t seem to try to hold any of the girls back and these wives seem fine w/voicing their own opinions. Before the show started, I assumed the husband would be very controlling. I have no idea of how typical this family is. Is it an exception for the wives to have all been married before the children were born? Is it an exception to have 3 wives so long and then to bring in a 4th? I also wonder how common it is that wives get to have their own apartment. Kody has mentioned “normal” a couple of times. Just stuff I’m curious about. In order for them to be happy, they have to be dedicated to the spirit of their lifestyle. Jealousy and personality conflicts are just things they have to struggle w/I guess. I like how open the wives display their feelings. Last week, Christine had no problem saying that she freaked when she found out the new wife and Kody had kissed.
All these women have entered freely into this relationship, so I don’t have a problem w/it. The biggest deficit I see, is the amount of time they have available to spend w/their father.
I’ve watched twice and so far I hate this show- mainly bc the whole time I think of how I angry, jealous, and lonely I would be in a marriage like that. I can’t imagine choosing to share a spouse. I have to fight the urge to throw things at the screen when Kody says “love should be multiplied, not divided” in the show open. That’s EXACTLY what his love, time, and attention is- divided between four women.
I only know the basics about polygamist families, so can someone tell me why there’s one husband and four women or however many, and not a second husband floating around? And riddle me this, let’s suppose one of the wives wanted to bring in another husband, can she even do that? Would he have to be a husband to all the women? Having a successful marriage to one person takes work, can you imagine the colossal effort that goes into four at one time?
I only know the basics about polygamist families, so can someone tell me why there’s one husband and four women or however many, and not a second husband floating around?
They are fundamentalist Mormons and their religion accepts that men can have multiple wives but women can not have multiple husbands.
And riddle me this, let’s suppose one of the wives wanted to bring in another husband, can she even do that? Would he have to be a husband to all the women?
Meri, Kody’s first wife, brought this up. Not that she wanted another husband but she was feeling jealous about the 4th wife coming in and was basically wanting Kody to understand her feelings. She said something like “How would you feel if I wanted to bring another husband into the family?” His response was that the thought of that was “vulgar.”
Having a successful marriage to one person takes work, can you imagine the colossal effort that goes into four at one time?
Actually watching the show, I thought Kody had the worst deal. The wife who prefers to work outside the home and the wife who wanted to go back to school have the wife who wants to be a stay-at-mom to watch to take of the kids. Each wife has seems to get a significant amount of “personal” time.
Kody has to keep 4 women happy and sexually satisfied or there are huge ripple effects through the family. He rotates nightly with the 4 different wives and those never sleeps two nights in row in the same bedroom. He really doesn’t have the option of just taking a night for himself. It also seems like he has to juggle not to hurt any of the women’s feelings.
Kody has to keep 4 women happy and sexually satisfied or there are huge ripple effects through the family. He rotates nightly with the 4 different wives and those never sleeps two nights in row in the same bedroom. He really doesn’t have the option of just taking a night for himself. It also seems like he has to juggle not to hurt any of the women’s feelings.- Paige
I find some lifestyles just plain ridiculous. This is one of them. Even though the rule “One husband may have many wives, but one wife may NOT have many husbands,” sounds anti-woman, it is in reality, anti-man. These women only need/want him 1/4 as much as I need/want my husband. It sounds as if he is barely necessary to their happiness. They have each other! I feel sorry for him.
*Disclaimer- I haven’t watched the show. I’m basing this on comments here.
I will be watching. I think its good to get an idea of what others believe and how they live. I have only ever seen the specials about the polygamist that are extreme and abusive, so this is a nice look at the normal polygamist families. I don’t think I could live this way but I can see where the women are coming from. As fas as this being anti-women. Well womens liberation gave women a choice if they are happy then its still successful in my opinion.
I know there are a few lawyers here and if anyone wants a new investigative hobby, I have a question. I read the following on a blog written by a “lawyer” regarding the Brown family:
“Kody says he is only married to Meri, (Meri C. Brown) he is that’s true. Well Christine doesn’t work, how did she get medical care in a hospital? She can’t be on his policy, they aren’t married. She is on welfare I’m going to post that information in a few days. It’s a lot of information.
Also I checked, all 3 wives have the legal last name of Brown. Someone posted on Facebook anyone can call themselves anything. That is true, however that is their legal last name, I checked.
So here is the question. How is that possible? If you legally change your name you have to go to court and to prevent fraud a judge has to approve all name changes. However they didn’t go to court, that would be public record. The women did NOT go to court to change their last name to Brown. How do the members of his fan club explain that? Fraud perhaps? I think so, but to make sure, I’m going to find out if he is legally married to any of the others, he may be. I hope he is. It doesn’t matter, please look up the legal definition of Bigamy. The Browns, all of them are clearly guilty of it. You do not have to be legally married to be guilty of that.”
Are you allowed to post on a blog whether someone is on welfare? And how does one even get that information?
Is the change of last name information she states accurate?
Here is the link:
http://sisterwivesunveiled.blogspot.com/