The famed TLC series Sister Wives has changed over the last 16 seasons as some believe the Browns are just not selling their polygamous lifestyle anymore. Kody Brown has ignored his four wives, Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn, for too long, and it is starting to take a toll on his extended family. The once-proud patriarch and his family are beginning to question their lifestyle as they feel they may have made a mistake.
As most TLC fans are aware, Kody grew up a practicing Mormon. While he was a teenager, his father was called by God to practice polygamy when he was in his 40s. Polygamy is the act of taking on more than one wife. Naturally, Kody also decided to follow the teachings of polygamy. In total, Kody decided to take on four wives, but since polygamy is not legal in the United States, only one marriage was acknowledged by law. The other three were considered spiritual unions. There was always a charm surrounding the Browns and their unconventional lifestyle in the early seasons, but as years passed, the vibe started to change into something more stressful.
As fans think back to earlier seasons of Sister Wives, there were multiple occasions that each wife and Kody made plural marriage seem fun. While living in Utah, the entire family lived under one roof. Viewers watched as each child was loved by more than one mother and looked after. The Brown's camaraderie shined through and gave the polygamous lifestyle a makeover, especially to those who had not ever seen a family like the Browns. Kody and his family belong to the Apostolic United Brethren church that believes polygamy is one of God's desires.
Even though the Browns pushed for polygamy for so long on their show, the recent seasons have shown a change in opinion as even Kody is starting to rethink his choice. The once loving patriarch has already admitted that he is in "polygamy hell" due to all the turmoil around him. Before his fourth wife, Robyn, entered the picture in 2010, Kody and his three wives really felt like a solid team. The entrance of his fourth and final wife upset their normal activity, as the women started to show their jealousy and resentment. Now, Sister Wives is promoting more of a monogamous lifestyle instead of polygamous. Each spouse and Kody have questioned their life decisions repeatedly, leaving most fans to think that Kody should just be in a relationship with one of his wives.
The founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, also practiced and preached polygamy, and the Apostolic United Brethren have always believed that the Mormon religion should never have banned the practice of polygamy. At one time, the Brown family believed that the gospel also called for plural marriage as a way to make their family a stronger unit. Sadly, after a couple of rough seasons, the show and the Browns are may be choosing to give up everything they believed in for a simpler life.
Sister Wives airs Sunday at 10 p.m. EST on TLC.