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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
PubMed
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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.

Related Experiment Videos

  • 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.