We are all animals, only difference is that we are a bit smarter. So, are humans meant to be monogamous by nature? Is it all a social or religious effect?
2007-08-09 16:27:55 · 12 answers · asked by Coma White 5 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Humans are not programmed to be monogamous. Men are programmed to impregnant as many women as possible, and in modern times you can't do that AND be married to one woman. (Unless she lets you....)
Women are programmed to be a little more monogamous, but, highly superficial. They are programmed to go for bread winners of the bunch... big, bulky, hunter like, aggressive and dumb.
All of this is about biology! And is/was there to keep the line of humans going.
Problem is, we now live in a modern world where that kind of behavior will have horrible, undesireable effects, whereas it worked great in prehistoric times.
Humans are hardwired with stuff. So, it is a little difficult for men to not be lustful and women to not be status seeking. (Not every man is a dog and not every women is a gold digger, BUT, the elements are there....)
2007-08-09 16:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Humans are monogamous by nature to a point. Especially women because they are the ones who get pregnant and give birth, so if they have a monogamous relationship that means there is an extra adult around to find food, build shelter, et cetera - this gives their off-spring the best chance. Males are wired to spread their seed as much as possible, but also, they want the best for their off-spring, they want their DNA to survive, which means that males also want the security that comes from a monogamous relationship. Those humans who take care of their young, are the ones most likely to have their young survive which means that the wish to take care of young gene is passed on to the next generation.
2016-05-18 04:40:24 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Humans are not monogamous by nature -- less than 3% of mammals are. But we're also the only mammal evolved enough to consciously make such a decision. A large percentage will be having sexual relationships with two or more pesons.
Quasi-monogamy--what the human body tells us about human nature:
http://magdalenefoundation.com/nature-quasi-monogamy.html
"Are we by nature monogamous?". In a study done by ethnographer G.P. Murdock (1949) of 849 human societies, 83% were found to be polygynous; 16% monogamous (serially); and 1% polyandrous. The implication is that humans are most likely to be monogamous in a serial way (not mate for life).
http://www.ethics.emory.edu/news/archives/000231.html
The Biology of Attraction:
Why men are usually more interested in sexual variety than many women.
http://www.libchrist.com/new2002/evolutionoflove.html
Studies demonstrate unequivocally that men are far more interested in short-term casual sex than women.
http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20070622-000002.xml
2007-08-09 17:55:11 · answer #3 · answered by d_r_siva 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a mental health professional with 20+ years experience, now retired, I'd say we're monogamous by nature, but "we're still human", by that meaning that we're not perfectly monogamous, some of us being more "imperfect" than others. The "social and religious effect" is simply God and our higher thinking reinforcing the more perfectly monogamous route in life. It's not easy, as our society today can show, but it's worth the effort to do it right. That's why God. God Bless you.
2007-08-09 16:40:39 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on how motivated you are. I think it takes a lot of work and dedication to another person to be monogamous.
2007-08-09 16:36:55 · answer #5 · answered by jen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are all creations of the same God, but we are not all animals. We all have the same creator, but were assigned & created for a different purpose. Humans have a spiritual side, that if it isn't filled, actually leads to weakening & illness. God instituted marriage immediately, because that relationship is the best for mankind's health & true happiness.
2007-08-12 01:51:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, they are not.
However they are hardwired to be in loving relationships, to raise children. Read The Moral Animal by Robert Wright.
2007-08-09 17:25:20 · answer #7 · answered by mozzafiato 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Women are monogamous by nature, men have the desire to breed with many. In Western culture morality dictates we be monogamous. There are cultures where husbands have several wives, or wives are shared along with parenting.
Religion is a huge dictator of morality. Society adopts moral principles that "group think" assigns a survival value.
2007-08-09 16:33:04 · answer #8 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 3⤊ 4⤋
I agree with mal777:
Monogamy like polygamy is a religious matter. Some human beings aren't monogamist; some women and men have many mates. It depends of the person's nature. By nature women prefer to have many mates and to enjoy sex if their libido is in high level; while men prefer to be married and enjoy sex with one wife or with his preferred one if he is polygamist.
2007-08-09 16:49:58 · answer #9 · answered by jbaudlet 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't think so. But by overcoming your "animal" side and commiting to one person in spite of everything else, your'e demonstrating love and commitment to that person
2007-08-09 17:38:50 · answer #10 · answered by Jamie C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋