The Oprah Winfrey Show Season 22 Episode 35 Polygamy in America: Lisa Ling Reports

In Season 22 Episode 35 of The Oprah Winfrey Show, journalist Lisa Ling reports on the controversial subject of polygamy in America. Ling travels to the heart of the Utah-based Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), where members practice polygamy, which is illegal in the United States.

Throughout the episode, Ling speaks with current and former members of the FLDS community, including wives and children who have left the church. She also talks with law enforcement officials who have worked to combat abuses within polygamous communities, including cases of child marriage and welfare fraud.

Ling sheds light on the struggles that come with living in a polygamous household, where wives must compete for their husband's attention and struggle to maintain close relationships with their own children. She also explores the cultural and religious beliefs that have led many individuals to embrace polygamy and upend traditional societal norms.

Through interviews with both advocates and opponents of polygamy, Ling provides a nuanced perspective on a topic that is often sensationalized in the media. She questions whether polygamy can ever be practiced in a way that is truly consensual and respectful of women's autonomy.

The episode delves into the legal challenges that have arisen as a result of varying state laws and the federal government's stance on polygamy. Ling examines whether anti-polygamy legislation has been effective in bringing an end to the practice, or if it has driven polygamous communities deeper into isolation and secrecy.

Overall, this episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show offers a thought-provoking exploration of the practice of polygamy in America, with a focus on the experiences of those who have lived within or left the FLDS community. Ling's reporting presents a complex and nuanced take on this controversial topic, inviting viewers to question their own assumptions and beliefs.