But only using it as a perspective through which to view American culture.
No. It is cruel for a man to make such a competition between his wives. The same cruelty happens between unmarried people through dating, flirting, etc. It also occurs when someone is flaunting wealth. Whatever intentionally provokes negative feelings that harm a person's contentment and inner peace is a sort of cruelty. This is the reason for the hijab, and also for the prohibition (only for men) of wearing gold or silk.
Part of what I wanted to make noticed is how much of contemporary western consumer society is centered around the drive to provoke such feelings - lust, envy, jealousy, etc. in others about one's self. The "if you got it, flaunt it" mentality.
That people in the west are now so addicted to this game, is the reason why they react in such horror at the idea of hijab, especially, as if it nullifies any reason for a woman to live if she does not strut her stuff.
So I was only trying to see polygamy through the competition lens to make a point about this cultural trend.