Question:

Are humans meant to be monogamous?

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"...According to many scientific experts, monogamy is a myth and we now have DNA testing to prove it. In their book Myth of Monogamy: Fidelity and Infidelity in Animals and People, husband-and-wife team, behavioural scientist David P. Barash and psychiatrist Judith Eve Lipton, argue that monogamy "goes against some of the deep-seated inclinations with which biology has endowed most creatures, including humans".

Monogamy, they argue, is unnatural, but that doesn't mean it isn't worthwhile. After all, when a couple remains together, bound by fidelity, it makes it easier to bring up children and stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Barash and Lipton argue that in nature, very few animals practise monogamy. Scientists used to think that some species, mainly birds, were monogamous but genetic testing has proved that while some animals might stay with a mate for a very long time, most have s*x with others outside their "pairing". Many humans do the same.

But why do we stray? According to Professor Colin Groves, a professor of biological anthropology at ANU, the tendency to wander arises from a deep-seated search "to get better genes" and men and women are equally adulterous.

Groves illustrates the point with the example of birds. "In theory the female, like the male, would seek out the best partner with the best genes and it might not be the same individual as the partner with the best parenting skills. So that's the idea: to get the best genes and come back and deposit the result of these excellent genes into the nest of the male that's going to make the best parent. The same is true for primates."

He says humans use religious and social codes to prohibit adultery in order to bind society. "In humans, where bonding is official � in marriage, it is more than just a link between two partners," he says. "It s a link between two families or two clans, and it would clearly be a very bad thing if one clan suspected that the woman who is supposed to be increasing their particular numbers is actually having children by a completely different clan."

Dr Anthony Marcus, an anthropologist and senior lecturer at Melbourne University Private, says that's just part of the story. "It's human nature to be a social animal, intimately and intensely involved in others," he says. He points out that s*x, kinship and property are all linked. While humans enjoy chasing the sexual thrill, they are also driven by their to desire to "spread relationships". Monogamy, he argues, is "something created and imposed by human beings as a way of managing the intersection of political and social affairs."

"Affairs is probably the wrong word here," he adds as an afterthought. It seems not only is monogamy difficult, it is also rare. Everywhere we care to look, there seems to be an adulterer. Former US president Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky led him to commit perjury, which resulted in impeachment proceedings. Jimmy Carter talked about it: "I've looked on many women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times."

Prince Charles admitted he had had an affair during his marriage. And then there are the legendary philanderers: J.F. Kennedy, Henry VIII, Cleopatra and Mark Antony. More recently, celebrities suffer regularly from accusations of infidelity: Mick Jagger and David Beckham come immediately to mind. And just this week George W. Bush has had the finger pointed at him..."

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12 ANSWERS


  1. yes we are


  2. Other animals may not be monogamous, but how often do primates kill one another in a jealous rage?  That is a human trait.  As long as jealousy remains, monogamous is the way to be.

  3. I think I have always been ok with being with more than one partner, either at the same time or apart. Not really sure what my answer is


  4. we all have feelings and direct thoughts. Were not going to cheat becuase someone else has the right shade of blonde that we want for our children. I do believe were sposed to be monogamous. Were sposed to stick with one partner and i choose too.

    x

  5. I'm 35 years old and have only had one sexual partner. I'm perfectly fine with monogamy.  

  6. First, the word "meant" implies comformation to some requirement from a supreme being.  If that is the intent, then, no we are not meant for monogamy or polygamy, as there is not pre-ordained requirement for either.

    If you mean biologically, then the answer is . . . sometimes.

    The drives for many forms of survival depend on the pressures to that survival.  This includes most of the basic functions, including the species levels of sexual participation, violence, and eating habits.

    For example, humans can generally become extrremely violent when environmental pressures so require. But when pressures do not exist, humans are generally less violent.  Same with sexuality.  When pressures require high levels of reproduction or response to a changing environment, humans will respond with polygamist practices.  But when such pressures are removed, monogamous practices are preferred.

    As such, in a stable environment, human beings as a population desire to be monogamous.

    That there are "famous" examples of "cheaters" is irrelevent to this discussion.  The millions of monogamous persons will never receive the press that one cheating president will get.  But their daliances are not an indicator of societal preference.  And actually, even if a person has an affair, that does not necessarily mean that monogamy is not the human preference.  Funny how if a person in monogamous for ten years, and has one affair, they are considered polygamous, but if someone is polygamous for ten years, then is monogamous for one hour, they are not considered monogamous.

  7. yeah!..., the value of serial monogamy should be recognized and propagated !

    ``

    (my logical input is: when something's broken, let go!! you can do better next time.

    but whatever you chose, don't be a polygamous.... at least in the occidental life style :) -- real bad karma set up!!


  8. I think maybe women are, and men aren't!  Seriously though, I don't thing humans are meant to be monogamous unless they choose to be.

  9. As people we have a soul. The body is similar to animals and this is all. Love of the soul has nothing to do with procreation. True love and loyalty go together.  

  10. Yes we are designed to be monogamous. infidelity comes from selfish desire. You show me the guy that has s*x outside of marriage because he wanted more kids. Or even the woman for that matter. Adultery does come from a primal instinct, but it's not a reproductive one. For humans anyway.

  11. Men wonder more then women for women are tied to the home and family more then men.

    I see experts as ones who think they know everything. A little research makes fools out of most.

    A good study on the subject is found in the Urantia Papers.

    PAPER 63 - THE FIRST HUMAN FAMILY - P.711

  12. Studies show that successful married couples are happier than people that have several dates at once. This just looks like an excuse someone would use to get the guilt off their conscience when they cheated.

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