Is polygamy permitted in Russia? The letter of the law and real life

Recently, such a topic as polygamy in Russia has been actively discussed. This type of family relationship is not characteristic of the culture and traditions of the state. But at the same time today this issue is quite relevant for different segments of the population. We will try to understand what polygamy is and how many wives allow a man to have a Family Code of the Russian Federation.

Polygamy and polyandry - unusual for the Russian family types

In most modern countries in the world officially only monogamous marriages are recognized at the state level. It is about family marriages, created by their own volition in pairs: "man + woman." When marrying, each of the spouses swears to love and respect his chosen one all his life, and also to keep him faithful.

Despite the prevalence of monogamous marital unions, in some states polygamous family relations are considered traditional or at least acceptable. Such marriages are called polygynic (polygamy) and polyandric (polyandry). Experts believe that such a variant of the family could arise in some emergency situations. For example, after large-scale disasters, wars, or in regions where for some other reasons there were few men of reproductive age.

It is worth noting that polygamy in Russia is not widespread and has never been considered a norm, despite the country's rich history of sad pages.

Legislation of the Russian Federation on the conclusion of conjugal unions

In the 14th article of the current Family Code of Russia it is clearly indicated that only unmarried persons can enter into marriage at the time of application to the registry office. It turns out that the question: "Is polygamy allowed in Russia today?" - the answer is negative. Moreover, from the point of view of morals and traditions, adultery or the "unruly lifestyle" of a free person are blameworthy and unacceptable phenomena.

In the legislation of the USSR, there was once an article providing for criminal punishment for persons entering into a polygamous marriage. Today polygamy in Russia is perceived with greater tolerance, but at the same time it remains legally unresolved.

Is it a shame to have several wives in modern Russia in fact?

Interesting results are shown by social studies and the population census. In 2002, it was found out that in Russia the number of married women is almost 70,000 more than the number of married men. Where are the husbands of ladies who consider themselves to be married? Does polygamy in Russia still exist? Many modern people believe that the main thing is "personal relationships, and not presses from the registry office." For this reason it is difficult to establish how much real family couples are in the state.

With regard to polygamy - opponents of this type of marriage argue that the problem of their promotion lies in immigrants coming from Muslim countries (where polygamous marriages are approved).

However, not all so simple. Many Russian men live for years, having several families. It's about long personal relationships with his mistresses without formal dissolution of marriage with his wife. What is noteworthy, in the Russian mentality such cases are not perceived as "polygamy". Even if the unofficial "wife" has children from a married man, and he recognizes them, society is more often negative and frivolous about this woman. Because "she's just a lover." But is the existence of a love relationship with someone other than the official spouse should not be equated with a polygamous marriage?

Should we expect adoption of the law on polygamy?

In 1999, the president of Ingushetia R. Aushev issued a decree authorizing polygamy in the republic. Due to the fact that the law on polygamy in Russia at that time was not even considered, Russian President Boris Yeltsin quickly rescinded this permission. Since then, this issue has not been considered at the legal and legislative level.

It is noteworthy that many Muslims, living in the territory of states where polygamous marriages are prohibited, still contrive to conclude them. The problem is not in the legislation at all. Legally, a male polygamist has only one wife in accordance with the current Family Code. The family union with the second and subsequent spouses he concludes in the church.

Similar things happen in our country. The article for polygamy in Russia could hardly significantly improve the situation due to the complex provability of violations. Perhaps, the most effective will be the propaganda of family values and primordially Russian traditions?