What social benefits does MONOGAMY provide?

Question

Please avoid "IDK" answers, or answers that are dogmatic. I am interested in opinions about actual social data.

Answer 1

a lower rate of std transference/infections.

prior to dna testing, a relative certainty of who the father of one's children is.

Answer 2

Monogamy actually provides for a more stable society which is a large part of it's appeal to governmental and religious bodies.  I have an interesting book at home called something like the history of love and marraige that cites examples from history on how religious and governmental bodies imposed rules on interpersonal relations..

Interesting reading...

Answer 3

Well I'm going to assume you're talking about before marriage but there are several benefits.

1) You can share things on a much more intimate level. I'm not sure how many relationships you have been in but personally after my first, the rest don't have that special factor of mystery and discovery etc. I think the same principle would apply here where if you are putting time and effort exclusively into one person, the experiences you derive from the relationship are more unique. Otherwise you may begin to notice similarities in multiple partners that could bias you against the opposite s*x entirely.

2) Socially, you definitely can't emotionally hurt or bother as many people who may or may not not share the same viewpoint. These awkward situations are generally undesirable not only for the people involved but also for their friends who begin to feel like third wheels.

and

3) From a philosophical viewpoint, you could argue that life is about balance. Too much of a good thing can be detrimental just as too little would be. Many people consider they have a counterpart that completes or balances them and that would clash with the idea that you can get that from several different people at the same time successfully.

I realize 2 is the only point that directly answers the question about social context, hope you don't view the other two as dogmatic. :)

Answer 4

Widespread monogamy in a society makes the promiscuity the non-monogamous practice a lot more exciting.

Widespread monogamy, heh.

Answer 5

While I will agree that many of the benefits stated can be found in monogamy, they can be found in ANY relationship, regardless of the presence of sexual activity or not.

Answer 6

Security is usually listed as the top one. I suppose trust relates to security. Insofar as "two are better than one," it stands to reason that a monogamous relationship yields better social stability than other two-person relationships.

Answer 7

The only social benefit in monogamy is conformity. We have been brainwashed since birth to think that one person in "love" with another can be all things to  his/her mate. When are we going to learn that people grow and change. Needs and wants at 20 damned sure are not the same at 50. Time to move on to a new or another mate.?.

Answer 8

1) Lower/no STDs.

2) Unquestioned paternity.

3) No comparison for the women of "gosh, his equipment was bigger/smaller/better/worse than my last lover."  

4) Reduced ability to determine sexual style, i.e. what makes them enjoy s*x more.

Answer 9

None. What's good about having to deal w/ the same woman all the time? Same set of problems, same drama, same personal ticks.