Individuals that are involved in a monogamous relationship have only one husband, wife, or sexual partner at a time. Most often, monogamy is used in relation to marriage. However, it is in existence for any type of one partner relationship.
There are four basic types of monogamy relationships. These include:
1. social monogamy
2. sexual monogamy
3. genetic monogamy
4. marital monogamy
Each type has its own characteristics and features.
Social monogamy is the relationship between two people that live together and are involved in a sexual relationship with each other. They work together to get basic resources and necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and money. Sexual monogamy relates to a relationship where two individuals have sexual intercourse with each other exclusively and no outside partners. Genetic monogamy is a relationship where two people are joined only by having children together. Marital monogamy is a relationship in which two people are joined together through a marriage ceremony.
In recent studies, biologists have begun to talk about only 3 of the 4 different types of monogamy. These are social, sexual, and genetic. It is important to understand the differences between these three types of monogamy. They all have their own dynamics within the world today. They also shape our understanding about monogamy as a whole.
In studies, it has been found that pairs of animals that are monogamous do not always engage in sexual exclusivity. Many animals that have formed mating pairs and raise their young together often engage in sexual relations with other partners. In the scientific world, this is known as extra pair copulation. Sometimes these outside sexual encounters result in offspring. Genetic testing often shows that some offspring that are being raised by a monogamous couple are the result of a female mating with an outside male. Due to these findings, scientists have and biologists have started practicing new ways to discuss monogamy.
No matter what type of relationship is being engaged in, it is easy to know whether it is a monogamous relationship or not. If the couple is exclusive to each other and does not have any outside partners or relationships, they are monogamous. As mentioned earlier, these monogamous relationships exist in a wide variety of different settings.
They can involve:
• Family dynamics
• Love relationships
• Marriage
• Sexual relationships
• And many others
However, there has to be the exclusivity in the relationship to make it monogamous. There is an ever growing problem of extramarital affairs and outside relationships. There seems to be an ever-growing desire to have outside contact no matter how committed an individual is to their partner.
But, this is not true for everyone. There are many couples that live their entire lives monogamously and live in happiness and peace. Due to safety concerns, overall happiness, and consequences of actions, if you are in a serious relationship, your best option is to remain monogamous. This will prevent problems for you and your partner.