Should Responsible Vacation Include the World of Polygamy?

Responsible vacations aren't just about the environment. A responsible vacation must support and promote ethical practices as well. During this financially challenging and overall gloomy time across the world, the travel industry seems to be pushing the envelope on questionably unethical tourism. From torture museums highlighting different torture techniques to the rise in popularity of prison tours, the line is steadily blurring between ethical and unethical tourist attractions. The latest "tourist attraction" allows tourist to take an up-close and personal look into the world of polygamy.

The state of Utah is infamous for its unwillingness to intervene with polygamy. Bus tours are gradually popping up in traditionally polygamy- practicing regions, including Utah border towns. The traditionally mum community of polygamy has slowly begun to open its doors to allow paying patrons a glimpse into their culturally confusing worlds. For about $70 per person, tourist can board buses for a guided tour around a polygamist community. The tour guide is not a typical Tour Guide Academy graduate on this responsible vacation option. Tour guides for these tours are usually real- life members of the polygamist community. Knowing this ahead of time will save you the inevitable discomfort that ensues after stating a negative or sympathetic comment about the ideals and members of the community. Coincidentally, patrons may not feel the need to make such comments during this well- orchestrated tour. A look out of the bus window will most likely show children playing amongst the beautiful natural scenery commonly fo
und in Utah, with women tending to their leisurely duties in their traditional dress, and men respectfully tending to their manly duties. While this scene invokes warms and fuzzies inside, the public knows that this ideal scenario is not what polygamy is about, which makes for a weak argument for such bus tours as a responsible vacation option.

Polygamy is outlawed in many countries, including the United States. While the practice holds religious significance in a number of religions, it has been a tool of sexual abuse for most young women in modern times.  High profile court cases, including but not limited to the polygamist compound raid in Eldorado, Texas in 2008. Every polygamist raid uncovers countless reports of sexual abuse amongst females and males of all ages. It is hard to justify a polygamist bus tour as a responsible vacation option, as well as the support of this type of community through the tourism industry. Such support is gained by paying $70 a person to see this well-rehearsed version of the polygamist community.

It goes without saying that not all polygamist communities support sexual misconduct, but the statistics are against them.  Since a large part of responsible vacation is to promote and support social justice for everyone, not just those within the realm of your particular sect of society or within the boundaries of your religion, a paid bus tour through a polygamist community does not fulfill any of these social responsibilities.

Photo Credit: Ken Lund