Swan fidelity is good for health: the benefits of monogamy. Can monogamy be good for health? The very phrase “and until death do you part …” in many causes mortal boredom. Cases where a person is faithful to one single partner throughout life are very rare. Worldwide, about 95% of mammalian species and 85% of human cultures are polygamous. However, for those people who are in the remaining 15%, their monogamy may be more useful than any sexual liberties.
Swan fidelity is good for health: the benefits of monogamy
Statistical data
Monogamy is defined as sexual intercourse with strictly one partner for an extended period of time; of course, sometimes monogamy occurs in marriage. The opposite of monogamy is polygamy, which is having more than one partner at the same time. The number of monogamous couples has increased over the past few decades. For example, in the United States, the number of registered marriages is significantly reduced.
In 2001, 2.1 million Americans tied the knot; this is the same number as in 1970 – despite the fact that the population has increased by about 100 million people over the past 40 years. By some estimates, about three-quarters of all married people in our time are faithful to their spouses.
What can move humanity towards monogamy?
There are many theories that explain this phenomenon. The reasons considered by the researchers include both economic factors and various conditions of growing up people. Some believe that natural selection pushes a person to closer and more reliable ties.
Some researchers have explored the potential health benefits of being monogamous. Of course, studies comparing monogamous and polygamous couples are rare. However, the scientific research that is already available shows that monogamy has many advantages.
Fidelity and its health benefits
In particular, being close to one person was significantly associated with lower rates of depression, stronger immunity, and good heart health. Married people have a much lower risk of getting cancer than free singles. Moreover, the researchers took into account not only newly formed couples, but also those that had been married for many years.
In one survey, subjects were shown photographs of their lovers. Those in long-term partnerships produced more attachment hormones (such as oxytocin) when looking at the picture; which was not observed in the case of viewing photos by those people who were together for less than 2-3 months.
It is not yet clear whether everyone will benefit from a monogamous relationship. Some people suggest more modern versions of it (for example, the classic “cheating on vacation doesn’t count” rule); others tend to impose their own, more complex, rules on relationships.
“Mono” or “poly”?
Genetically speaking, some people may be more monogamous than others. For example, researchers have discovered a male gene associated with polygamy. It is not yet clear whether it can be an excuse for multiple sexual intercourse – after all, the human psyche is extremely complex and complex to blame genes for everything.
But on the other hand, a monogamous partnership does not automatically make people healthier and happier. A particularly unsatisfactory sex life has a bad effect on women. The fair sex can develop depression, hypertension, obesity – few people think about all these things, standing at the wedding altar.
Swan fidelity is good for health: the benefits of monogamy
