It seems that people, both men and women, are emotionally driven to find a single mate, fall in love, and create a monogamous relationship. However, men also seem to have an instinctive drive to "spread their seed" so to speak, and sleep around. Now, scientifically speaking (I'm not asking about people's characters or personalities, or for spiritual answers, strictly on a biological/genetic/evolutionary scale), why is that? Those two drives seem to conflict, so I wonder, what is the purpose of having both?
2006-11-13 17:46:58 · 9 answers · asked by JudasHero 5 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
There is a genetic drive to procreate around, but there is also a genetic drive to form strong, intimate exclusive emotional BONDS with one member of the opposite sex. There is plenty of research to back this up. So, no, I'm afraid it's not a PURELY societally driven concept.
2006-11-13 18:06:30 · update #1
I disagree that the two drives conflict. From what I've read about these biological urges to bond, it seems to be all about the protection of the young. Look at a pride of lions, a group of females, cubs, and one male to protect, and the females hunt. Technically, the male can "spread his seed" while still providing for his other females and young. I personally would not want to live that lifestyle, but some people in certain religions, etc...find it full filling.
2006-11-13 19:07:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not necessarily natural for men or women to be in a monogamous relationship. These ideas came later when society made it a factor. . We are born with certain basic instincts, and the need to keep the species going is one of them.
In reality it is very hard work to maintain a monogamous relationship. We tend to do this out of a moral and spiritual fear. This is what God and society expect of us after all. The reason that we are attracted to someone in the first place has nothing to do with "love" as people like to think. This is the built in system we possess to insure that we do not die off.We have been fighting this battle for a long time now, what comes natural vs what we know is expected of us. Women do have the same problem, however they have been oppressed even worse by a society that tells them it is wrong to have sex period, let alone with multiple partners.
I guess this is a nature vs nurture issue. What we are born with vs what we are conditioned to believe.
2006-11-14 02:17:43 · answer #2 · answered by Susan P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, genetically, monogamy is the contradiction. Our socital beliefs have set monogamy as the standard but our (male at least) primal pre-disposition is to procreate and expand the gene pool by fathering offspring with different females. Any community in which the gene pool gets too small is doomed to be eradicated through problems due to inbreeding. Obviously, the human population is such that this is not a problem in all but the most remote and segregated of communities.
2006-11-14 02:01:50 · answer #3 · answered by Chet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are asking an impossible question because you are telling us to leave out all other possible factors. Is it a genetic trait? I don't think it can be proved one way or the other. The fact the male is usually stronger indicates that men see themselves as the ones to make the rules. In other words, it is more a control issue than genetic. And what makes you think women are less promiscuous than men? Because they are less likely to talk about it? Would you admit infidelity to a woman who stands a foot taller weighing 50 or more pounds than you are? Especially one who is more aggressive than you? Also if it means you would be considered a whore, not her?
Get real, man
2006-11-14 02:03:12 · answer #4 · answered by bob h 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Guys are indeed interested in finding their one their "Soul Mate" however the other guys are of the attitude that if they don't actually carry the child then they think it's easier to "Have fun" but most of the reason for that attitude is just plain simple immaturity. some learn to grow and expand their thinking, sadly a lot do not.
2006-11-14 01:56:54 · answer #5 · answered by alienjl76 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To find love, satisfaction and expecting of something that they are not able to know. They are struggling to know that and need special scientific technique which is not yet discovered to many because some do not want to enter in to that, like spiritual things, but they accept that there is some spiritual things are there but they want to know by their brain. So, they are not able to find, know or attain it.
2006-11-14 01:58:43 · answer #6 · answered by R S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mother natures sneaky way of making sure of the propagation of the species poor unwitting men :)
2006-11-14 01:53:54 · answer #7 · answered by asip1v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How many bulls in a herd, how many bucks in a group of Deer,
how many males in a pack of wolves? ONE!
2006-11-14 01:49:51 · answer #8 · answered by David S 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
men have more "seeds" you have to plant them somwhere, right?
2006-11-14 01:59:31 · answer #9 · answered by The Emo are taking over. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋