Posted on 03/19/2008 2:25:18 PM PDT by Aristotelian
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
L
It’s difficult anyway, Aristotelian.
I asked my wife.
She said Yes.
In gorillas and gibbons there is no competition and a little dab will do ya.
Among chimpanzees a female in estrus will mate with just about every male in the band, therefore male chimps have very large testicles. They need as many entries as possible in the ‘sperm lottery’.
Humans have intermediate sized testes. Indicating that we are MOSTLY monogamous.
ah the whole ‘people are just crazy animals’ argument to make cheaters feel less rubbish
You don’t generally see these stories pop up if it’s a Republican involved in a scandal.
That doesn't mean we should. Why even have a civilization?
Bingo!
The cultural evolution inherent to Western Civilizatiom has promoted monogamy due to its stabilizing force. Stable nuclear families are the optimal basic unit of societal organization.
Non-monogamouos species have totally different ratios of males to females. For a species with our technical prowess and a 1 - 1 sex ratio to do anything other than generally live monogamous lives would lead to permanent warfare everywhere.
When you hear of the violence and heartbreak which is caused by infidelity, promiscuity, and illegitimacy, I find it hard to advocate for anything but monogamy. Those against it would probably say it’s totally cultural and those attitudes could be overcome with time.
Exactly. You want to destroy Western Civilization, destroy it’s foundation.
The only safe sex is sex with a safe partner. The only safe partner is a monogamous partner.
My wife thinks so!
What guy will admit that he has intermediate sized testes?
susie
might as well ask why do couples break up.
The guy who is attracted to a very petite woman?
Sounds like it's an issue of whether you're a glass half full or glass half empty kind of guy.
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