Young Adults' Attitudes Toward Polygamous Marriage as a Function of Gender, Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage, and Other Sociopersonality Constructs

Abstract

U.S. citizens are overwhelmingly opposed to the legalization of polygamous marriage, but specific reasons for this opposition remain unclear. In this study we examined young adults' (n = 814) attitudes toward polygamous marriage as a function of myriad variables. Particular attention was given to the presumed association between attitudes toward same-sex marriage and polygamous marriage. Results indicated that, overall, young adults' attitudes toward polygamous marriage were neutral. Also, attitudes toward same-sex marriage significantly correlated with attitudes toward polygamous marriage. However, not all pro–same-sex marriage participants were pro-polygamous marriage. Moreover, opposition to same-sex marriage, (female) gender, higher levels of authoritarianism, and endorsement of traditional family values conjointly and individually predicted opposition to polygamous marriage. Implications of the findings are discussed, particularly in the context of U.S. discourse over the legalization of same-sex marriage.

KEYWORDS:

• authoritarianism
• family values
• polygamy
• same-sex marriage
• traditionalism

Notes

Note: ATSSM = Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage (Pearl & Paz-Galupo, 2007).

M-GUDS, Mivillie-Guzman Universal-Diversity Scale; (Miville et al., 1999).

*p < .001.

Note: *p < .05, **p < .001.

M-GUDS, Mivillie-Guzman Universal-Diversity Scale; SDO, Social Dominance Orientation.

ATPM = Attitudes Toward Polygamous Marriage measured by ATSSM-modified (Pearl & Paz-Galupo, 2007).

Social desirability (MC-SDS; Reynolds, 1982) controlled for by entering at block 1.

M-GUDS, Mivillie-Guzman Universal-Diversity Scale; SDO, Social Dominance Orientation.

*p < .001.

Italicized items are reverse-scored.

Adapted from the Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage scale (Pearl & Galupo, 2007)