The basic motivation of the human species, like many living things in nature. ‘breed’ and ‘survive’ we can say. Of course, since our species now most classically describes itself as an “advanced” species, it has expanded its reproductive and survival behavior through various activities, adding individual “goals” and “goals” to the list. So he convinced himself that he was different from animals.

However, the fact that there are several polygamous and monogamous creatures in nature, and that humans have not always been monogamous during their evolution, made modern humans ask the same question: Are people really monogamous or polygamous? Scientific studies on this topic over the years have answered this question. Unfortunately there is not one answer.† Well, let’s see how this happens.

Are people monogamous?

Monogamy, in its simplest definition, is used for beings who have sex and reproduce with only one person. This definition alone is enough to show that humans are not truly monogamous. Because we know that people can have sex with more than one partner and reproduce.

When examining the mammalian species found in nature, Of the approximately 5,000 species, only 3% are He has been observed to be ‘monogamous’. In other words, man is not alone in this respect in the class of mammals to which he belongs.

But monogamy does not exist in one form in nature. Apart from the simple definition we made above, different types of monogamy It can differ before and after mating and even by gender. For example, in some mammalian species, only males are monogamous while females can be polygamous. Or vice versa.

Likewise, while some animals mate and produce offspring with more than one partner, they can be with one partner and care for all offspring with that partner. Different scenarios like this one, being sexually and socially monogamous/polygamous revealing the concepts. In this case, mating with more than one partner, caring for the offspring with one partner, and living with one partner means being sexually polygamous and socially monogamous.

People are polygamous then, right?

Polygamy means having sex and reproduction with multiple partners. Unfortunately, humans are not fully included in this class. Because, certainly to the point we’ve reached socially and culturally, this scenario creates a very ‘unapproved’ situation in many societies. The lives of many people by choosing a partner, having sex with him and breeding and that makes them monogamous.

And that’s not the only thing that shows we’re not polygamous. Generally There is a noticeable difference between male and female in polygamous creatures.† Because males develop certain traits that they will “display” in themselves to be selected by the female in the current competitive environment. Such as the fascinating and colorful plumage of male peacocks… However, these ‘differences’ in humans are not as great as in other mammals, and studies show that humans also differ from other polygamous animals in this aspect. In other words, there are some obstacles in front of us that call our species polygamous.

Since social and cultural influences are incorporated into the work and it is not possible to reject these influences, instead of calling people monogamous or polygamous it should be judged according to the scenario in question.

So why have we as humanity chosen a monogamous life over the years?

The reason why human evolution has become so complex when it comes to reproduction and mate choice is, of course, under investigation. Scientists think that “human offspring” is one of the reasons people chose to pick a single mate over time and move on from that. because human baby development among babies who last the longest and can take care of themselves last. But mothers raising babies He may be looking for a stable partner who will always be there and raise the baby with him.

Also those women to discourage men from killing babies they suspect are not theirs It is thought that there is a strategy that they have developed.

Source 1, Source 2, Source 3