Is it in our nature for humans to have life long mates? or is it just our morals? No religious views please.)?

Question

Humans are just animals right? there aren't many animals know to us that do mate for life I only know of a few. to me it just doesn't make sense I don't think we would be as sexual as we are if was natural for us to pick life long mates.

That's my opinion just want to know yours.

Answer 1

Because humans constantly change as they age, the type of person that is most attractive & compatible at 17 is not likely to be the most attractive & compatible mate at age 30. However, monogomy provides the most stable means of raising children, since we have abandoned the extended family and tribal life. Is this natural? NO, males of most species seek to mate with as many females as possible to ensure the survival of their genes & females seek the most robust male to father their off spring because they have a larger investment in the off spring & biologically can produce fewer than the male. Females seek males that can provide food, shelter & protection for them & their offspring.

Answer 2

Thats tough - If you go all scientific, to have a mate is for procreation. We end up enjoying the company and things that come along with haveing a mate (if you know what I mean). I would also say that it might be our nature to have short term mates (i.e., long enough to procreate and to have assistance raising a child - although many get by fine as single parents, it makes the journey easier to have two). Then once that phase has passed, and you cannot have children anymore, there is no need right?

I do think that being social creatures makes us also yearn for a companion. So when there is no need to procreate anymore, we still need a companion to keep us company until we die. Think of those old couples who only have each other, don't you think it is interesting that in those cases, when one dies, the other follows close behind? Personally, I would like to have a lifelong mate to share my experiences with. They know where I have been because they were right there with me the whole way.

Answer 3

Well that is one of the deepest subjects that you can delve into and still really not come up with a concrete answer. The idea of "mating for life" is indeed found in the rest of the animal world. I'll not go into all of them. When looking at man the instinct to procreate is the very strongest one there is. It cannot be proven by any scientific evidence that or prehistoric ancestors were monogamous but by the nature of mans emotions it would bear true to the studies done today on the basics that make a successful marriage. The "love" of another being male/male, male/female or female/female is an extremely strong emotional bond. That emotion could only be that strong if it is nearly genetic in is creation. This is of course a natural selection process (don't what no stick on religion here) that reenforces the bonding actions. Today we have people who for no other reason than they married and had kids and are now living the balance of their lives together and when asked about their relationship they say "Who would want to change now? Our love is as strong as ever if not stronger." This same statement is made every day in male/male and female/female relationships. What is very interesting is that if you ask a person about the very first person they loved with all their being in other words, made a committment bond to that person, the reaction is something to behold. The person will become reflective and look almost as if they are seeing the person in their minds eye as if they were standing right there with you. Their faces become milder, their hearts "skip a beat", it is as if they are a different person. What we see in that person is the effects of a bond with that person are still as strong and vital as if they had never left them in the first place. As you can probably tell I have one that left me 35 years ago. Long time to carry a torch isn't it. But that feeling is still there and believe me it is as strong today as it was then. So to really answer your question YES, most assurdly YES it is human nature to want life long mates.

Answer 4

If I don't meet the kind of woman I'm looking for (And of course she must be interested) then I probably won't get married.
I refuse to just pick one and make do.
Why, when there are so many people out there you could have exciting experiences with.
Of course there must be something to be said for having the same person love you through good and bad times, but let's be serious, how often do you meet people who honestly seem meant for each other.
Most times they simply got horny, stayed that way long enough to complicate things with a child, and then realized that they were trapped in something too hard to get out of.
I want a life partner, but waiting's making me a bit jaded.
Also, I'm a product of divorced parents, and never really witnessed a happy marriage when I was growing up, so it's possible that I have no concept of what a real marriage/commitment is supposed to consist of.
Oh well, I'll survive somehow.

Answer 5

Well based on my animal behavior psychology class, I'd say no. Probably just our morals. But, it depends on your sex. Animals main goals is to reproduce. I am going to explain this is a biological/evolutionary/survival of the fittest sort of way:

That is why males might be with more women, as it is their goal to produce the most offspring as possible. And it is physically possible for them to impregnate many females. That is there way of passing genes.

Females, instead, tend to favor quality over quantity. They can only carry so many babies. That is why they are more likely to be more selective and choose the most/best qualified male to have a baby with. It takes alot of time and energy to make sure their baby survives in this world.

Most societies (people) and animals are not monogamous. But, of course, in some countries like USA, etc., monogamous relationships seem to be the norm- more widely accepted. But, as you can tell by the high incidents of cheaters and divorces, that we are not monogamous by nature.

Answer 6

I like having my husband in my life. He is my best friend. I like knowing that I have someone there for me to talk things through, solve problems with, sleep with and wake up next to. The studies don't lie, married men live longer than single men. We are animals but we have the need to give and receive love, to care for and about someone other than ourselves, so I think life long mates can be in our nature.

Answer 7

i think humans naturally want a lifelong companion someone to lean on it doesn't have to be sexual either. just someone, freinds, family, a spouse. it's definitly natural. people who r single usually would rather not be. it's lonely. sure it's fun to play the field a little but doesn't that get old? we're animals but we r civilized. domestic animals, they stay with there masters don,t they and they seem happy with that. i've seen alot of spoiled mutts.

Answer 8

I don't think it's one or the other. some are wired to remain faithful their whole lives and others can't help playing the field. being with one mate is enforced by society, but that's not necessarily nature's way.

Answer 9

I agree. Its just the moral of this country and who founded it. Marriage is just a peice of paper that causes more paper when you get divorced, because they dont last anymore anyway.I dont like the fact of having to depend on someone,Ill take care of myself and i dont need anyone to help me through life. It is nice to have a gf, but i want to experience multiple girls.

Answer 10

It is our instinct to survive take that how you want to. Some will understand some won't.