Strollerderby

I'm from Dubai, and rest assured, this situation has nothing to do with the culture of our country. While polygamy is indeed legal, many couples opt out, and it usually occurs in rural areas. For urbanized Dubai-ans, it's rare. Having said that, those who do engage in polygamy usually have a lot of kids.

I myself have 21 paternal aunts and uncles, because my grandfather had many wives (not at the same time mostly), and only have 4 maternal uncles. My paternal grandfather was traditional in that sense, and probably had a total of 11 wives. But even then, the kids were only 21. Not 86. My maternal granddad was more modernized, etc., that's why he only had one wife and 5 kids in total with her (which is a lot, compared to today's numbers).

The local sheikh probably paid for the kids, though I don't know the real reason. The rulers of this country engage in polygamy widely, and have many kids too. Total number of kids is under 15, usually. Unfortunate, but it's the truth.

This 86 kids thing is by far way too much, and not normal in Dubai standards at all. It's not a cultural issue; this man obviously views parenting as a contest, and is being very irresponsible with his actions.

Yes, thi sguy gets under my skin. He sounds like an ass.

I'm sure there are men in every county of this country who would have that many wives/kids if it were permissible.  Or at least that many simultaneous sex partners - maybe not contractually bound ones.  I worked in HR for a time and had to garnish the wages of a man who had seventeen children by five women.  Not 86, but the guy was only in his twenties - give him some time.