Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Polygamist family reality is both voyeuristic and candid.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
My Five Wives
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
MY FIVE WIVES is a reality documentary series that follows a plural family living outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. It stars Brady Williams, who is married to his first wife Paulie, and in plural marriages with Robyn, Rosemary, Nonie, and Rhonda. While trying to balance his relationships with five wives and 24 children, he runs a construction business with his brother, Jared, and is earning a college degree. Meanwhile, the wives work both in and outside of their two houses, take care of the children, and cope with the challenges that come with sharing a husband. It's not an easy life, but one that Brady and his wives are committed to.
Is It Any Good?
My Five Wives offers a voyeuristic look into the Williams household, and underscores many of the highs and lows that come with living a plural lifestyle. But unlike Mormon Fundamentalists, Brady and his wives practice what they define as "progressive polygamy," where equality is emphasized, and plural marriage is a result of mutual love and commitment rather than a fulfillment of a religious obligation. However, their lifestyle leads to the same political, social, and economic dilemmas that other polygamists describe, and for which they are often criticized.
The Williams appear more modern and enlightened than the plural families featured on shows like Polygamy, USA. But unlike that cast, and the cast of Sister Wives, Brady's spouses are more candid about the negative feelings they have about sharing a husband and having to co-exist with each other. The result is a series that offers less romanticized view of plural marriage, which some will find both interesting and disturbing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about plural marriage. Why/how do some families practice polygamy if it's illegal in the United States? Why have some polygamist families decided to live their lives publicly, if the way they are living can get them into trouble?
What are some of the media stereotypes that exist about polygamists? Do you think TV shows like this one challenge these generalizations?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 15, 2013
- Cast : Brady Williams , Paulie Williams , Jared Williams
- Network : TLC
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 10, 2022
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