http://www.popeater.com/2010/09/28/sister-wives-bigamy-investigation/

So there's a new show called Sister Wives, which is a reality show that follows the lives of a polygamist family. Polygamy is illegal. And yet, this family is going on national TV, using their real names, flaunting their illegal behavior. Surprise, surprise, they're being investigated for felonious bigamy. Now you know as well as I do that Felonious Bigamy is the best rap name ever, but it still doesn't change the fact that polygamy is illegal.

Now, the obvious meat of the story is that the polygamists are brazen and should've expected nothing less than to be investigated, if not arrested. We can only conclude that either A) they're stupid as meatloaf, or B) they're making a stand and raising awareness for their cause. I'll assume B for no good reason other than it seems more noble. I think it's a dangerous decision, as there are children involved, and they'll probably end up in some kind of foster home situation, which may or may not be better for them. But to take a step back, why is polygamy even illegal? If you want to take on more than one wife, pff, more power to you. Seems to me that the more parents, the better (nothing against single parent families). But seriously, another grown-up to help around the house, more supervision for the kids, contribute to the work force and bring home another paycheck? I mean, where's the down side? But no, it's illegal. But Kate is allowed to have all 8 kids and she's single! Parenting laws are weird.
It's legal for that insane couple on that TV show to have 19 children (all with names beginning with J!). 19 children with two parents is totally fine, but 2 children with 19 parents is not? 2 kids growing up under the watchful, loving care of 19 adults, while bizarre, seems to me to be an environment in which a kid would thrive. Conversely, I would imagine that being one of 19 kids with 2 parents would leave you struggling for attention and identity. The one flaw in this theory is that, from what I've seen, these 19 kids whose names all begin with "J" appear to be relatively grounded. OK, yeah, they're religious nuts, but they don't appear to be neglected, psychotic or dangerous. This all goes to prove the point: I have no idea what I'm talking about.