"ATTACK OF THE TRAILER PEOPLE" - Feedback On Dawn's Show

So I have been indulging in this exercise of narcissism, which consists of me scouring the Internet, looking for information about myself since “Dawn Porter: The Polygamist’s Wife” aired last Tuesday. There have been a few message boards and a couple of blog posts. But I have been surprised – there is not as much discussion on this episode of Dawn’s show than there was on “Free Lover” or even “Mail Order Bride”. I would have thought that polygamy would at least incite people’s opinions as much as being greased by a bunch of naked Germans. But I guess not.

Oddly enough, the responses were mostly positive. Most people thanked Dawn for her insight into a world that they knew nothing about. They thought that the polygamists shown were mostly normal. Okay, maybe a little weird, and something that they would not choose for themselves, but a legitimate lifestyle. In this sense, Dawn Porter and the producers of the program accomplished exactly what they said they wanted to do – which is to present plural marriage as a legitimate, alternative lifestyle.

Okay, some of the comments were negative, but that’s to be expected. I was called “nuts” (by Dawn herself, apparently!) and “the fat man”. But you know the proverb about negative press – it’s better to have that than none at all… or is it?

Here is what one woman on Dawn’s website said:

“Oh one thing i’d love to know regarding the trailer people who live in the middle of no where… where do the kids go to have fun, play out, shop etc etc? It seems so remote. Oh and I saw childrens beds in the wives bedrooms - do they have sex with the children in the room?”



And here is how I responded:

This is Moroni, one of the “trailer people”. LOL
We just introduced all of our children into the public school system this year, so all of our children are having alot more social interaction with other children.
But we have ALWAYS provided other extracurricular activities for our children - sports, martial arts, ballet, piano, etc.
They also have cousins (dozens) that live close-by, as well as a playground and trampoline at theu grandmother’s house (on the same ranch.) Plus they have acres and acres of land that they can roam on without fear of traffic or drugs or strangers.
Trust me. These kids are probably better off than most.
As far as sex in these tight quarters - Dawn did ask us about that (but it didn’t get aired.) I answered that you have to be an opportunist - like when the kids are out playing and such. Thank God for locked doors!


The following is an article that came out the day after the show:

http://www.tvscoop.tv/2008/10/tv_review_dawn_8.html

TV Review: Dawn Porter: Polygamist's Wife, Channel 4, Tuesday, 21 October, 10pm

Of all of Dawn Porter's new series on Channel 4, this was the one I was looking forward to the most. She'd covered free-love, which ticked the box for all those that just want to ogle our Dawn, as well as investigating the Geisha and mail-order brides. As meaty or flighty as the subjects were, the last in the current series, Dawn Porter: Polygamist's Wife (Channel 4, Tuesday, 21 October, 10pm) was always going to be the most revealing. Polygamists are often derided and seen as 'cultish', as testified by the opening bars of this show, showing clips of a 'sect' that was stormed by federal agents... but was Dawn going into a seedy den, or would she find the lighter side of Mormon living? Thankfully, it erred more on the latter, even if it was filled with weird.

As I mentioned, the show started with a raid on a polygamy camp, with claims of child abuse and the like thick in the air. It was hardly the best time for Dawn Porter to try to spend some time with a polygamist family. However, it was clear that Porter wanted to delve into the world to see if was as wrong as many think it is, or whether it was like any other family (dysfunctions and all), only with more parents.

In the initial meeting, where Porter was vetted, the board of Mormon wives were aggressive, awkward and prickly - not surprising really when you take into account that their way of living is forbidden by federal law. This sees families retreating to baron wastelands in the middle of sod-all, to live in peace. However, The Dawn Porter Charm works a treat and she's granted time with a family (with one lady giggling "You're as cute as a button!").

Dawn's first house tour was bewildering to watch, and bewildering for her. I think there were a million kids, and twice that in rooms. Of course, that's being a bit glib, but that's what it felt like. Even mum lost track of how many people come and went in her house. However, she was keen to point out that this was all about sharing, which on the surface, can't be that bad a thing. However, when that includes the sharing of sex between a husband and his various wives, Porter's (and mine to be honest) mind boggled - how can that ever be normal?

I guess it's understandably that everyone who Porter met was so defensive. I mean, people on the outside just keep saying that the whole thing is weird. I mean, you only have to look at the preconceived notion of what a Mormon family is, to understand why these folks can be so surly. It must also be immensely irritating to have people think of The Osmonds every time someone mentions your belief system. Thankfully, these notions are pretty quickly dispatched and dealt with by Dawn who clearly wanted to get deeper.

"Is it polygamy or just a really high sex drive?" Dawn asks Moroni, a husband to two wives. Through this line, jealousy reared its ugly head and was addressed. Thankfully, it was all honest and self-effacing. Again, you have to step back and note that many monogamous relationships suffer from jealousy just as much... but not quite so in-your-face.
So what makes someone want this lifestyle? For the men, it's obvious what the attraction is: You can have as many wives and girlfriends as you like. But what's in it for the woman. It's never addressed, presumably because it's reasonably well known to everyone but me, but the women aren't granted the same freedom with their bed. One of the reasons given for wanting to be a Mormon wife is to become a Goddess, in the spiritual sense of course.

One thing was clear at the close of the programme is that the Mormon polygamy lifestyle isn't all weird and full of drawbacks, and though you may not agree with it all, you can certainly see plus side. At times, it almost looked like people were living their lives in a hippie commune, all chipping in to help and offer advice. However, it's clear that there are those that abuse this way of living to abuse and control... but is that any different from any other way of life? Even though Porter's show didn't answer many questions, it did enable us to peer into a world seldom seen, and for that reason alone, she should be applauded.


All in all, this article was pretty open-minded.

There was this line: “So what makes someone want this lifestyle? For the men, it's obvious what the attraction is: You can have as many wives and girlfriends as you like. But what's in it for the woman.”

Obviously the question was not adequately addressed in the program, so, this morning, I decided to independently ask my wives: What is the benefit is plural marriage to the woman?

Temple was instantly prickly. “I answered that question in my interview with Dawn! Obviously they didn’t feel that my opinion was worth airing!”

They both said that a benefit was that they were never alone.

Temple said that the main benefit was for the children, being able to interact with each other.

Martha said, “It helps you to think outside of yourself. You are placed in a position where you have to think of others more than yourself, and to overcome your feelings.”

Here is a quote from a review that was not so nice:

What the film really needed wasn't a polygamist's wife but a polygamist husband. Dawn journeyed further into the desert and found one, "a dirt-poor construction worker" who lives, by the look of it fairly joylessly, in a shabby trailer with his two wives and their eight children.

Dawn didn't learn much here, either, and departed with the impression that polygamists are "properly nuts!" They are, Dawn, they are. And you, cute button, are a pain in the nuts.

Joyless?? How would you like a polygamist boot planted on your nuts, buddy? LOL

Here are a couple of more quotes from Dawn’s blog:

“Loved the last show. I was left wondering a couple of things really. How does the guy earn enough money to support so many people, do the wives work as well? And how does he find the energy to satisfy so many wives. I am married and i find it sometimes hard to keep up with one wife in my bed let alone 2+ wives. On the other hand they did seem quite happy and the children seemed the most happy of all. I find myself having the same thoughts as with your first program on free love though. It don’t think it would be for all and to be honest thank god we are all different.”

And:

“Children are brought up in far, far worse scenarios than in Moroni etc’s house. It would never be my choice, but no-one is forcing these women to live like this. And the eldest daughter, when questioned, clearly hadn’t have it rammed down her throat that theirs was the only way to live… she said she didn’t know what her future family set-up would be. As long as the children are loved, cared for and are happy, I don’t think we should judge. It wouldn’t suit me one bit, but I believe in the families’ right to be unconventional!”


Anyway, after thinking that I would never get chance to see the show, I actually downloaded a copy from a file-sharing website. I am not sure how legal it, but since it has my mug… So, I watched the show. Tune in next time for my official critique…