Monogamy

Monogamy (from the ancient Greek μονος - single + γάμος - marriage [1]) - monogamy, a form of marriage and family in which a person has only one partner during his life or at any time (consistent monogamy), compared with polygamy, polyandry and polyamoria [1]. The term also applies to the social behavior of some animals.

Content

• 1Terminology
• 2Monogamy in humans
  • 2.1Social monogamy
• 3Monogamy in animals
• 4Notes

Terminology

The term "monogamy" is used to describe various relationships. Modern biologists who use the theory of evolution consider monogamy in humans as a phenomenon not only in humans but also in animals, and the following four types of monogamy are postulated:

• Marital (or family) monogamy refers to marriage unions, consisting of only two people. Marital monogamy can be divided into:
  • marriage once in a lifetime,
  • marriage with only one person at a time ( consistent monogamy ), as opposed to polygamy [1].
• Social monogamy refers to two partners living together, having sex with each other (with possible betrayal / open marriage / promiscuity) and interacting in the acquisition of basic resources such as housing, food and money (if we are talking about people).
• Sexual monogamy refers to two partners who have exclusive sexual relationships with each other and who do not have any other sexual partners [2].
• Genetic monogamy refers to a sexual monogamous relationship with genetic evidence of paternity [2].

Biologists, physical anthropologists and behavioral ecologists ( Eng. ) Often use the term monogamy in a sexual sense, not genetic [3]. Cultural or social anthropologists and other representatives of the social sciences under the term "monogamy" means social or marriage monogamy [3] [2].

Legal aspects of monogamy in people are taught in law faculties. The philosophical aspects of monogamy consider, for example, philosophical anthropology and philosophy of religion, as well as theological disciplines.

Monogamy in people

Social monogamy

According to the areal human relations file card, out of the 1,231 studied human cultural communities from around the world, 186 were monogamous, 453 had polygamy in certain periods of time, 588 had fairly frequent polygamy, and 4 had polymorphism [4].

Monogamy in animals

Swans create couples for life and a change of partner is possible only in the event of the death of one of the swans.

Monogamy in animals is a relationship between the sexes, characterized by the fact that the male mates with one particular female for a more or less prolonged period and usually takes part in caring for the offspring. Monogamy is observed in most birds, and swans, storks, eagles, vultures are joined in pairs for several years, in some cases - for life, others - only for one season, parting after breeding and feeding the chicks (for example, geese) or even immediately after laying the nest, even before laying eggs (many ducks). All wild geese are monogamous. Among mammals, monkeys and wolves form pairs for several years or more; Arctic foxes, foxes, badgers, ermines, beavers - rarely more than one season. The relations of insects and other invertebrates, in which both sexes (or only males) die soon after a single mating (females after egg laying), are sometimes also referred to as monogamy.