Why Are Humans Monogamous While Animals Are Polygamous?

In animals, rather than cheating on their partners, it is their nature to “mating” We see what they do. Moreover, this situation is extremely normal for them. So why isn’t the same situation true for us humans?

Maybe an otter, maybe an elephant that died of sadness when it didn’t get attention… Many animal species actually have a lifespan. mated with the same partner It doesn’t seem possible for us to hear it. There is a scientific explanation for this difference between us!

Forget everything you’ve heard about the relationships of the animal kingdom.

Although monogamy represents an ideal for us humans, unfaithfulness He’s going crazy. At this point, it is not correct to classify people as “monogamous”. However, we say that exceptions do not break the rule and we focus on the situation that prevails in the animal world.

Everything in nature is ultimately to pass on their genes to future generations is making an effort. The main purpose of every living thing is to continue its genetic heritage by giving birth to its offspring. Polygamy is actually a strategy used to transfer this heritage.

So what is the factor that pushes animals to polygamy?

Genetic diversity, of course. of a female mating with more than one manBy providing genetic diversity, it allows the birth of healthier and more durable offspring.

There is also a difference between females and males in terms of sex cell production. Producing sperm is easier than producing eggs. But things don’t work out that way for females; after a certain point, copulating with more men, It does not increase the risk of bearing more offspring.

Considering this situation, it makes sense to prefer polygamy.

But monogamy also provides a strategic advantage under certain conditions. One of these is the proximity factor. When members of a species live close to each other, their tendency to mate and become accustomed to each other and remain loyal increases.

The second important reason is the offspring’s chances of survival is to increase. For creatures living in a dangerous and limited environment, parents staying together and feeding the offspring together increases the offspring’s chances of survival.

In mammals, the situation is completely physiological.

In mammals, care of the offspring is usually breast-feeding It is carried out by females with tasks such as. Additionally, research shows that 3 to 5% of mammals practice social monogamy. This leads to limited mating.

Social monogamy is more about sexual fidelity. permanent and long-term relationships focuses.

Research on monogamy does not show that hormones play a decisive role in this regard.

In case of destruction of vasopressin receptors, which are protein structures that detect the effects of a hormone, It has been observed that mating-induced bonding is inhibited. In particular, this has an impact on social connections, mate selection, and mating behavior. So, as long as these receptors are active, something emerges that connects the couples to each other.

The effect of the oxytocin hormone in this regard should not be overlooked. This hormone In the process of bonding with people was observed to play an important role. However, it is still not fully understood how effective hormones are in monogamy. Therefore, it is also considered a possibility that monogamy is genetic.

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