Are Humans Meant to be Monogamous?

[happywonton]

Are Humans Meant to be Monogamous?

News of politicians' extramarital affairs seems to be in no short supply lately, but if humans were cut from exactly the same cloth as other mammals, a faithful spouse would be an unusual phenomenon.

Only 3 percent to 5 percent of the roughly 5,000 species of mammals (including humans) are known to form lifelong, monogamous bonds, with the loyal superstars including beavers, wolves and some bats.

Social monogamy is a term referring to creatures that pair up to mate and raise offspring but still have flings. Sexually monogamous pairs mate with only with one partner. So a cheating husband who detours for a romantic romp yet returns home in time to tuck in the kids at night would be considered socially monogamous.

Beyond that, scientists' definitions for monogamy vary.

Evolutionary psychologists have suggested that men are more likely to have extramarital sex, partially due to the male urge to "spread genes" by broadcasting sperm. Both males and females, these scientists say, try to up their evolutionary progress by seeking out high-quality mates, albeit in different ways.

The committed partnership between a man and a woman evolved, some say, for the well-being of children.

"The human species has evolved to make commitments between males and females in regards to raising their offspring, so this is a bond," said Jane Lancaster, an evolutionary anthropologist at the University of New Mexico. "However that bond can fit into all kinds of marriage patterns - polygyny, single parenthood, monogamy."

The human species is somewhat unique amongst mammals in that fathers do invest in raising children.

"We do know that in humans we do have this pretty strong pair bond, and there's more paternal investment than in most other primates," said Daniel Kruger, a social and evolutionary psychologist at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. "We're special in this regard, but at the same time like most mammals, we are a polygynous species." Kruger said humans are considered "mildly polygynous," in which a male mates with more than one female.

Whether or not the married or otherwise committed individuals stray for sex depends on the costs and benefits.

"There is plenty of evidence that males have less to lose than females by having extramarital sex," Lancaster said. "Having less to lose, it's easier for them to do it."

Women, however, could lose "dad's" resources when it comes to raising their kids. "For women, the well-being of their children is not improved by promiscuity," Lancaster told LiveScience.

Some scientists view both social and sexual monogamy in humans as a societal structure rather than a natural state.

"I don't think we are a monogamous animal," said Pepper Schwartz, a professor of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. "A really monogamous animal is a goose - which never mates again even if its mate is killed."

She added, "Monogamy is invented for order and investment - but not necessarily because it's 'natural.'"

Source: Yahoo News

Kinky! I'm glad I'm not a goose.

[Brains]

how many years did he need studying to come to that conclusion?

[Sir Jig-A-Lot]

Monogamy is cerebral choice for males. biologically it's not meant to be.

[5829]

She added, "Monogamy is invented for order and investment - but not necessarily because it's 'natural.'"

I believe that human monogamy is a legal act. Not a natural act. If it was a natural act then humans would be doing it because it would be part of their nature. Not because it is being enforced by laws.

[AYHJA]

Monogamy is cerebral choice for males. biologically it's not meant to be.

Pretty much my sentiments...

[raum]

here is the REAL deal:

Count the number of men in the world.
Count the number of females in the world.

There are not an equal number of these two. There are more women than men So either:

A. God doesn't exist and pair-bonding is a social convention.
B. God, like most of us, loves lesbians.
C. God has made provision for my harem.

[Sir Jig-A-Lot]

C. God has made provision for my harem.

i'll take C for 400,stu!

[g00b3r]

here is the REAL deal:

Count the number of men in the world.
Count the number of females in the world.

There are not an equal number of these two. There are more women than men So either:

A. God doesn't exist and pair-bonding is a social convention.
B. God, like most of us, loves lesbians.
C. God has made provision for my harem.

LMAO. I missed you so much!!

I vote............a little of A, and some of C maybe.......... I think it's done so that females can bitch about everything and there will always be some dipshit in a corner of the party jacking himself off cause he'll never get laid and a "higher" power gets a kick out of it.

[Sir Jig-A-Lot]

:laff: CDR! aptly put g00b.