OLD WIVES’ TALES

In the context of polygamy, there are many wives.

There are older and newer wives in that scenario.

The older wives have a tendency to form a woolly or abstract union or comradeship whenever a new, hot and sizzling wife shows up on the scene.

Like someone is coming to take preeminence where they have already labored and gained ground. 

Just as in a monogamous space, where the partner would be concerned and jealous if the object of their love and affection is being pursued by or is pursuing another albeit in a temporary romance.

It is natural for an existing wife to experience the feelings of apprehension, anxiety or jealousy when a new love interest enters the life of her man.

Even if there was a shared understanding and agreement between the husband and existing wife on the type of family they would be building. 

But this can be positively curtailed and managed with the assurance and security of a marital union, which may either be the traditional (customary), common-law (de facto) or statutory (registry) marriage.

There can be relative peace and harmony amongst the wives, if all their interests are taken onboard and if they are emotionally mature and amiable.

Yet amidst the family unity, there are stories, short narratives and tales that usually filter down or make the rounds, especially as the family becomes larger with the graduated influx of a given number of wives and the increasing number of children. 

In such a large household, there may be subtle cliques, unspoken favorites and unwritten rules.

There may also be old wives’ stories and tales, some of which are just for comic relief but most of which are clever lies, exaggerated facts or twisted truths told to scare and put the new wife in check, or unduly magnify an old wife and solidify her role.

An old wives' tale is a colloquial expression referring to spurious or superstitious claims. 

It is a widely held traditional belief that is now thought to be unscientific or incorrect.

Simply put, it is a traditional story or belief, especially one that is not true.

It can also be called a myth, legend, folk story or fairytale originating from olden or ancient times. 

In the context of modern society, it can be a piece of advice or a theory, often related to matters of health, that was believed in the past and passed down to generations but is now known to be wrong.

To reiterate, an old wives' tale is a well-known belief that is actually just superstition. 

Bits of advice, warnings, goodluck or fortune-bringing acts, and general community wisdom sometimes turn out to be old wives' tales. 

These include simple superstitions, like "don't open an umbrella indoors," and easy to believe advice like "if you shave, the hair grows back thicker". 

One harmless and even hopeful superstition is that if you place a wrapped baby blanket under the tree, you will have a baby by the following Christmas.

In hindsight, many of such tales will sound totally bogus, ridiculous and laughable—very much so.

Some myths are however created and distributed to instill fear in people and thus manipulate, control or even take advantage of them, largely superstitious beliefs with religious or traditional undertones. 

We must beware of all such irrverent, silly myths.

Actually, the phrase “old wives' tale” etymologicaly  uses the oldest meaning of the word wife, reading "woman", and is in essence quite derogatory.

It originally comes from the tradition of mothers scaring their children out of unwanted behavior.

What is one old wife’s tale that you were told?

Do you think this is a good way to curb behavior?

Are they beneficial to individuals and society?

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”