How does a man in India's remote northeast have 39 wives and 100 children?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the life of Ziona Chana, a man in India's northeast who reportedly has 39 wives and 94 children. Participants explore the cultural, social, and economic implications of such a family structure, as well as the religious context that allows for polygamy within his community.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Ziona Chana leads a Christian sect that permits polygamy, which was established in 1942 and has around 400 families.
  • There are humorous remarks about the challenges of managing multiple wives and the implications of such a lifestyle.
  • Some participants express curiosity about the economic viability of supporting a large family, suggesting that multiple incomes could contribute to financial stability.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the legal and social perceptions of polygamy in different countries, particularly in the US and Canada, where there are discussions about anti-polygamy laws and cultural attitudes.
  • Participants reflect on the societal implications of polygamy, including discussions about age of consent and the treatment of women in such arrangements.
  • There are varying opinions on the morality and practicality of polygamy, with some questioning the fairness of such arrangements and others defending the rights of individuals to choose their family structures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the cultural acceptance of polygamy, its economic implications, and the legal challenges faced by polygamists in different regions. No consensus is reached on these topics.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the welfare systems in India compared to North America and the financial implications of having multiple spouses. There are also references to varying legal standards regarding marriage and consent in different jurisdictions.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in cultural studies, sociology, religious practices, and discussions surrounding family structures may find this thread informative.

  • #31
Containment said:
Do you realize the amount of income from wellfare you would pull in with 50 wives all having multiple children?

No, actually I don't know. I *do* know that having one spouse and one child and trying to live off of a welfare income is next to impossible.

But, so, do they have a comparable welfare system in India?
 
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  • #32
39 wives is 39 incomes. all under one roof is economy of scale. it's smarter than you think.
 
  • #33
Proton Soup said:
39 wives is 39 incomes. all under one roof is economy of scale. it's smarter than you think.

Ah, okay see, I didn't consider each of them working. There are several references in the article where the much-married-man talks about him "taking care of" these women. So my likely limited North American mind equated "taking care of" to encompass financial situations as well.

So, yes, at least 39 adult incomes -- more, actually, because he has grown children who are also married living with them, so consider their incomes and their spouses' incomes too -- and yes, you'd have a fair amount of cash coming in. And, as you said, economies of scale kicks in.

It was simply an assumption on my part because of language usage and local interpretation.