Muslim men in polygamous unions ‘happier than their wives’

KUALA LUMPUR - A quantitative survey has shown that Muslim men in polygamous unions are happier than their wives.

The survey showed that 97 pc of the men felt they were getting enough or more in term of tenderness and love after taking a second wife.

Some 42pc of first wives felt they were getting less intimacy, tenderness and love after their husbands married again.

“Men are the happiest and the least happy are the first wives,” the star online quoted head researcher of the study Prof Norani Othman, as saying.

“Most men who practice polygamy say they married again because they do not want to indulge in sex out of wedlock,” Othman added.

The study that was funded by Sisters in Islam, among others, looked at the impact of such marriages on the family institution including their effect on relationships, emotions and finances.

About 1,235 respondents were interviewed comprising husbands, first wives, second wives and children from both marriages in the peninsular.

The preliminary findings were released recently at a public forum at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

It is estimated that between 2.5 pc and 3 pc of all Muslim marriages are polygamous and the practice is more prevalent in the states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.

The survey also revealed that polygamy had taken a financial toll on the amilies of the first wives.

The preliminary findings were released recently at a public forum at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. (ANI)