Humans don't mate for life, right?

Question

Besides a few cases. Would you agree that humans are not animals that mate for life? Look at the odds of keeping a marriage together, what like 51% failure rate in America? If you plan on giving me some religious smatter, save your fingers, this is not about religion.

Answer 1

You asked this in the anthropology section, which is the study of different human cultures.  The obvious answer is that it depends on the culture.  In some cultures the majority of people mate for life, in others they don't.

In current American culture, the majority don't mate for life.  A 100 years ago, the majority did.  The usually pattern in today's society is to mate with a few people when you're young, usually with birth control.  You then get married, which has about a 50% chance of lasting.  Often there is a second marriage.  A certain number of people will have an affair on the side.  However, there will be some who do mate for life.

Answer 2

^It would seem that way. You have to remember when people started the whole marriage thing, back in the day,  they only lived into their late  20's maybe 30's so staying together for life was easier. I'm not knocking marriage by any means, but all the evidence points to the fact that for the most part we were not meant to be monogamous  and/or with the same partner for life.

Answer 3

I read that all marriages would eventually end in divorce, except when one of the parties dies first...

Answer 4

I am hoping that I can mate for life.

And I am hoping for multiple mates through my life.

The only problem is that these d**n women wont let me....

Answer 5

They don't mate for life unless they are lucky and really work at it. The success rate is 49% that's pretty good!

Answer 6

Some do.  Fidelity is a behavior expected of females during the time of "King Arthur". Although a double standard for acceptable sexual behavior continues to exist, infidelity is less threatening to committed couples.

Answer 7

Its abit odd. When you think of us as animal/organisms, you see traits that we're a polygamous bunch. Yet, to accept that on its own would be to say that we're completely controlled by our instincts, and its far from it. The fact that were able to go agaisnt it is what makes us humans. And in that case, being polygamous or monogamous is completely up to the individual, his society, upbringing and environment.

In many parts of Asia, divorce rates are still low for example. Culture perhaps?

Answer 8

yes i would agree,because there are a lot of people that don't have anyone to mate with,and some just don't to.if you find 2 people thats been together for over 25,30,40,50,70,years then it really ment to be.

Answer 9

Humans, by nature, are probably not inclined to mate for life.

However, the human mind allows for "values," and some of them, especially religious values, empower men and women to mate for life for many excellent reasons. These reasons include a sense of a present higher power (God), preference to be together (companionship), stability for children, economics and other aspects of life which provide happiness and personal satisfaction.

Those who fail to consider the role religion in human motivation are missing much of what it takes to understand anthropological issues and will open themselves to  accusations of bigotry. The study of anthropology and personal bigotry can't co-exist. Religion has always motivated humankind from the dawn of history to the present day.

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Answer 10

Humans have free will, the ability to chose, wrong or right, and an awareness of the consequences of our actions. Most animals do not have that kind of sentience, and are reacting to instinct, and behavior programming for the survival of their species. Our species is at the top of the food chain, and we're an overpopulated one. We don't have to mate for survival, unless it's on a personal level, to carry our own genes on... This promotes promiscuity. As does that free will thing. As does something else in our make-up. Emotions, Negative ones specifically. Depression, Envy, Jealousy, Competition, Revenge... All can lead to sleeping with someone else...

Another big contributor to cheating -- Low Self Esteem. When we're complimented on our looks, mind, style, etc, it can be such a boost to someone with low self esteem, that they'll react to a much higher degree... There's truth in a degree the saying "flattery will get you everywhere". Especially to someone who doesn't feel good about themselves anyway, or who isn't feeling their significant other is appreciating them.

Mentally and emotionally, we as a species are not geared to lifelong mating.

Answer 11

Don't think that way...that means I won't be able to mate with you.

Answer 12

Do you mean "fall in love" for life in the same way that birds will "mate" for life?  I hope so.  I'd like to be with my sweetheart for the rest of my life.

We've just passed 16 years with each other.