Forbidden Intimacies

Forbidden Intimacies explores the complex regulation of polygamy across the United States, Canada, France, and Mayotte, examining how legal and social contexts influenced by gender, race, sexuality, and class shape these relationships. Through diverse case studies, Melanie Heath highlights the secrecy and resilience of families navigating restrictive policies and societal pressures. The book offers a nuanced look at how different communities challenge Western notions of love and family within a labyrinth of legal and cultural constraints.