What is the deciding factor for someone to be monogamous, have an open relationship, no partners, or be the town pump? It seems that the deciding factor historically may not be romance, love, or happiness, but disease.
It’s nice to think that monogamy is something that came about because people were just that into each other, but new research is here to crush that dream.
A study from the University of Waterloo found that prehistoric humans may have started favoring monogamy (and rejecting polygamy) thanks to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and peer pressure.
Scientists used computer-modeling techniques to simulate the evolution of different mating behaviors in human populations based on demographics and disease transmission. As hunter-gatherers started settling in one place and living in larger populations, STIs like gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia were more likely to spread, according to the research.
(This wasn’t just a problem just for our ancestors. Here’s why STD Rates Are At Historic Highs, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.)
When the STIs infiltrated the population, it decreased fertility rates among men with multiple sex partners.
To combat infertility, men began to choose only one mate. The groups that practiced monogamy produced more offspring and thrived, while the groups that continued to practice polygamy ultimately faltered.
Researchers point out that this probably isn’t the only reason we shifted toward a more monogamous society, since female choice also played a role, but it was a big contributor. – menshealth.com
Do you agree with this interpretation? Do you feel we felt more safe from disease and more focused on reproduction which made us as a species monogamous?
And in regard to the current culture of sex, do you believe with less and less people being afraid of AIDS / HIV, possibly because of PrEP, it not being a death sentence anymore, and the term 'undetectable', and less people being properly educated about all STDs / STIs / why it burns when you pee, that is why we are seeing a rise in open relationships, multiple partners, etc.?
Do you think the title of the original article should have been ''Romance Is Dead: This Is the Real Reason Why Humans WERE Monogamous?"
H/t : menshealth.com
The article Romance Is Dead: This Is the Real Reason Why Humans Are Monogamous originally ran on WomensHealthMag.com.
Facebook Image and image above from Three
I think I need to do more
I think I need to do more research on the history of monogamy, but I do think it's very beneficial, also I wonder, why do we as humans get very upset when our partner goes off with someone else? Surely if we were all meant to whore around with others, two people wouldn't become attached and fall in love with one another? I'm not sure.
Every single person in my
Every single person in my family who has gotten married has stayed married their entire lives. There is an emotional benefit and to be honest it is a level of self giving and receiving that today's generation are not capable of which is why monogamy is dieing. Pfft, infertility and STDs? Perfect example of where people's minds are these days. Like your parents, siblings, children, cousins, your spouse becomes your family when you marry. That is the point of marriage. It's not about God or offspring or legal contracts. I feel sorry when this kind of love is no longer known for the new generation.
All my friends just PRETEND
All my friends just PRETEND to be monogamous. I don't anyone who ACTUALLY is….
Very interesting summary of
Very interesting summary of this research and interpretation of the data gathered. I wonder if we will hear about other articles and research that will eventually contradict these findings in the near future.
The “town pump” ?? Care to
The “town pump” ?? Care to define a term I’ve not heard Instinct… Made me laugh at least. OR is that the new PC term for “town whore”
Gross be single then freaking
Gross be single then freaking whores die alone