A complex marriage is a communal living arrangement where all adult members of a community are considered married to one another, departing from traditional monogamous structures.
Understanding Complex Marriage
In a complex marriage system, the fundamental principle is communal marriage. This means:
- All the women within the community are considered wives to all the men.
- Conversely, all the men within the community are considered husbands to all the women.
This structure eliminates exclusive marital pairings between individuals.
Permissibility of Sexual Relations
Within this unique marital framework, sexual relations are permissible, but they are subject to specific conditions:
- Mutual Agreement: Any sexual interaction must be based on mutual consent between the individuals involved.
- Male Continence: Men are expected to practice continence, implying a degree of self-restraint in sexual activity.
This system represents a significant departure from conventional marital norms, emphasizing collective relationships over individual ones within a community setting.
