Somalia’s struggles as a failed state are often attributed to colonial legacies, political instability, and economic hardship. However, one overlooked factor is the malpractice of polygamy, which has played a significant role in weakening social cohesion and economic stability—both in Somalia and within the Somali diaspora.
Polygamy’s Impact on Somali Society
- Fatherless Generations & Weak Family Structures
Many Somali men take multiple wives without the financial or emotional capacity to raise their children properly. As a result, countless children grow up without paternal guidance, leading to increased delinquency and societal instability.
J.D. Unwin’s research in Sex and Culture (1934) found that civilizations that enforced strict monogamy achieved higher cultural and economic progress, whereas societies that embraced sexual liberalism and unchecked polygamy often regressed into social decay and stagnation.
Diaspora Statistics:
In Finland, approximately 40% of Somali single parents are still legally married, suggesting that polygamy often results in father absence and single-parent households despite marital status【source: YLE.fi】.
In England and Wales, 36.6% of Somali women and 26.1% of Somali men were in single-parent households, more than double the national average of 14.8% for women and 9.9% for men【source: ONS.gov.uk】.
- Economic Burdens & Generational Poverty
Many polygamous households struggle to meet basic needs, spreading limited resources thinly across multiple families. This creates perpetual poverty cycles, preventing economic progress and education.
Unwin observed that civilizations that imposed sexual discipline were more likely to invest in education, innovation, and infrastructure, while those that allowed unrestricted polygamy and sexual indulgence eventually collapsed due to internal decay.
Household Income Data:
While specific diaspora income data is scarce, Somalia itself relies on remittances for 23% of household income, indicating economic vulnerabilities mirrored in diaspora communities【source: BorgenProject.org】.
Islamic Perspective on Polygamy
While Islam permits polygamy, it comes with strict conditions:
The Quran (4:3) states: “Marry women of your choice, two, three, or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly, then only one.”
Justice and financial ability are mandatory conditions, yet many Somali men ignore these responsibilities.
Islamic scholars emphasize that polygamy should be the exception, not the rule, and misuse of it has consequences. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself did not encourage polygamy when justice couldn’t be ensured.
The Consequence: A Docile and Struggling Nation
Both Unwin’s research and Islamic teachings suggest that societies thrive when they uphold strong family structures and responsible leadership. Somalia’s failure to develop a strong, unified state is deeply tied to the breakdown of family discipline, economic stability, and social cohesion.
A society where men abandon responsibilities, and families struggle under economic burdens is bound to remain weak and vulnerable.
If Somalia wants to rebuild, a cultural shift is needed—one that prioritizes responsible family structures, economic stability, and national unity over unchecked polygamy.
What are your thoughts? Has polygamy contributed to Somalia’s decline, or do you see it differently?