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The benefit and the doubt: why monogamy?

G A Schuiling¹

¹Division of Human Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, A Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology

|April 11, 2003

Summary

Monogamy is rare in mammals, evolving due to male mate-guarding, but often includes extra-pair mating. Humans exhibit social monogamy influenced by culture, though polygamy remains common.

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Behavioral Ecology
Mammalian Reproduction

Background:

Monogamy, a mating system involving two partners, is infrequent in mammals (3-5%).
This mating strategy can range from a single breeding period to lifelong bonds.
Monogamy does not preclude extra-pair mating, which is common.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the evolutionary pressures and consequences of monogamy in mammals.
To investigate the role of mate-guarding in the development of monogamous behaviors.
To compare monogamous tendencies across different species, including humans.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of mating systems across mammalian species.
Review of existing literature on monogamy, mate-guarding, and parental care.

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Examination of human social monogamy and cultural influences.

Main Results:

Male mate-guarding is a primary driver for the evolution of monogamy.
Monogamy favors male investment in offspring, common in birds but rare in mammals.
Humans display social monogamy, reinforced by culture, despite not being strictly monogamous.

Conclusions:

Monogamy is an evolutionarily unstable strategy with benefits and significant disadvantages.
Cultural factors strongly influence the prevalence of monogamy in human societies.
Human mating strategies are flexible, balancing monogamy and polygamy based on context.