Most animals are not monogamous creatures. They find a partner, mate, find another partner and mate again. Having multiple partners and offspring among multiple partners is natural for many of the animal kingdom. That leads me to the following question: Are humans, who belong to the animal kingdom, meant to be monogamous?
Let's examine the facts (keeping in mind that science is by far my worst subject). Both wild animals and humans find partners in order to reproduce and carry on the species. In some cases, the best way for a male to do this is to impregnate as many females as he can, even if that means leaving one for another.
Humans often value monogamy and intend to meet someone and stay with that person until death do they part. Many times, though, it doesn't always work out that way. The chances that a marriage will end in divorce is anywhere from 40 percent to 50 percent, depending on whose statistics you trust. It's true, too, that many people have multiple marriages, kids by multiple marriages, or multiple partners and no marriages at all.
Many of you probably are quick to point out that humans are much more advanced than, say, your average bear, and have the emotional and intellectual capacity to understand and be in a monogamous relationship. But dolphins, who many consider some of the smartest animals, do not mate for life either.
So you tell me: are human meant to be monogamous? If not, why do we often strive for monogamy? Is monogamy attainable, or is it our nature to wander?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Are we meant to mate for life?
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6 comments:
I think we are suppose to be monogamous creatures. It is attainable, although you both have to be totally committed. That's the hard part. In today's society, there is so much out there to tempt us and change our commitments.
There are many examples of other animals besides humans that are monogamous. However less than 3 percent of mammals are monogamous.
Besides, I believe the human male ego's are big enough ;p
the thought of humans not being monogamous sends me into orbit!!!!! after some terrible past relationships, i am deathly aftraid to get into a relationship b/c all men i've met cannot be monogamous...guys suck!
I do think monogamy is what is meant for humans. Wild animals grow up much faster than human children. A baby bear or deer or turtle is ready to be off on it's own much sooner than a child. If we released our children to live on their own as fast as an animal does, we'd never have another generation to grow up!
It is not to say that a child can't be raised by a single parent, but thanks to money and society's most well accepted values, a child with two parents generally is better provided for.
I disagree. I think that monogamy, while Romantic, is just that- a far fetched ideal imposed upon us by society and based upon outdated morals. I think life would be better for many people if they married someone they actually liked and had other sexual partners than being completely dependant on one person.
Monogomy isn't for everyone. Some people "just exist" in a marriage..get the courage to live your life to the fullest. If it isn't working with the person you are married too, move on to someone whom you can enjoy those precious moments with. You can't get back time !
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