Monogamy

Monogamy refers to the practice or state of being married to or having a sexual relationship with only one partner. It is a form of mating system and is common in many animal species, including humans. Monogamy can be classified into two main types: social monogamy and sexual monogamy.

Types of Monogamy

Social Monogamy

Social monogamy refers to two partners living together, having sex with each other, and cooperating in acquiring basic resources such as shelter, food, and money. In humans, social monogamy takes the form of monogamous marriage. Social monogamy does not necessarily equate to sexual or genetic monogamy.

Sexual Monogamy

Sexual monogamy is defined as an exclusive sexual relationship between two individuals. This is also referred to as a sexually monogamous relationship. Sexual monogamy can occur without social monogamy, and vice versa.

Monogamy in Animals

Monogamy is observed in many animal species. In animals, monogamy refers to the habit of having a single mate at any one time. Monogamy is particularly common among bird species. In mammals, however, monogamy is quite rare, occurring in only a handful of species.

Monogamy in Humans

In humans, monogamy is often associated with marriage, a legally and socially sanctioned union, usually between a man and a woman, that is regulated by laws, rules, customs, beliefs, and attitudes that prescribe the rights and duties of the partners and accords status to their offspring.

See Also

• Polygamy
• Polyandry
• Polygyny
• Bigamy

References

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