So why is considered bad to have more than one wife?

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Usually benefits get shared with spouses if everyone was married to 2+ people it would put a huge burdon on the economy.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Nothing stops you from having 2 or 3 permanent girlfriends Hugh Hefner style, or 1 wife and 1 live in girlfriend. Our legal system and other things like Insurance and things are based around 2 people being married and it would require a huge re-working just to legalize having multiple wives (or husbands).

 

[magomago]

I think if its between consenting adults, where all that are involved are okay with it, it should be okay. I think that in practice, issues like jealousy really fuck things up, which is why its not for most people.

The Quran actually sanctions polygamy - up to 4 wives for a man. But it comes with some limitations: the existing wife has to agree (consent), the potential wife has to agree (consent), the guy has to be able to treat them equally, and they are all 'equal status' wives (no concubines at all).

It was really meant for a situation like war when many men went bye bye. Islam puts a huge focus on preventing women and their children from becoming destitute- so it is better to marry a widow if her only other choice is to beg on the streets, because once you marry her, you now have a religious obligation to provide for her.
Of course, this takes a very male centric view - it implies and suggests the male is the breadwinner. Traditionally, this was true. Even today in most of the world, this is true. However, in many places of the world, this is rapidly changing as women can support themselves without a problem :thumbsup;

The only other valid reason I could think of today was if the wife was hit with a debilitating and strong disease/sickness that made her bedridden permanently and prevented her from contributing to the marriage (however the couple decided to split up tasks). If that is the case, then it does become hard on the guy - males do have a sexual desire even if we do love our sig other. Some other guys can't even get through a day without a wife because they don't know how to do anything themselves In those cases, if the wife agreed, a second wife could be taken, provided she agreed as well. That doesn't mean the first wife gets dumped at all - he still has to care and provide equally (although, in a case like that, the needs of each wife will be different).

Of course....the Quran then has to throw a curveball and say "monogamy is the best".