Marriage and Monogamy: religion or capitalism?

Question

I recently learned something in my sociology of gender class that blew my mind!

Monogamy/marriage was constructed, as a measure of power by patriarchal societies, so that men could ensure that the women's children were the rightful heirs to their property.

This would imply that monogamy is not an innate human characteristic. (I guess this would explain why so many people cheat?)

Does this mean that marriage is a product of religious control and monogamy is a product of capitalism?

Impart your knowledge upon me!

Answer 1

If that blew your mind you are in for a lot of surprises about what isn't spoken about.

Answer 2

I believe that everyone's answer is going to be different. But if it helps marriage may have been created to ensure rightful heirs but i believe that momogamy cannot be proven to be an innate or not innate characteristic based on the fact that some animals practice it. Like penguins choosing one mate for life. but that is just my opinion.

Answer 3

i agree with almost everything you  wrote.

But societies that were not capitalist (capitalism didn't exist yet) were the ones where they were SO concerned that the land went to TRUE heirs.  hence monogamy.