Do you think that monogamous relationships are beneficial

Do you think that monogamous relationships are beneficial to humans, despite todays “casual” hookup culture/ polygamy?

Lets Go Back A Few Years…

4. 4 million years ago, Ardipithecus ramidus (fancy name for humans a long time ago), adopted 3 key behaviors 1. Carrying food in arms 2. Forming pair bonds 3. Conceal signals of female ovulation

Although the cause of monogamy has been eagerly disputed, which cause seems more plausible?

Female Spacing o Females establish larger territories to gain more food supply o With females farther apart its harder and more dangerous for males to go looking for multiple partners. o In result the male realizes having the one partner is an easier life option, he stays to ensure his mates off spring are not only his own, but are also safe. o Dieter Lukas and Tim Clutton-Brock found this same evidence in 2, 545 different species of mammals.

Infanticide *Killing of a young offspring by an adult of the same species whose baby is not their own • Rival male challenges a dominant male in the community, the challenger could kill infants who he is not the father of. • To prevent this, the female would select a mate ally who could defend her and her offspring. • Observed in more than 50 primate species.

Male Parental Control • Father stays with the family and provides food or other forms of care which in result increases the chance of survival for the offspring. • Fathers could carry the young, which freed the females needs to supply her own energy needs, plus could gather food. • Parental care may still be the reason to why species stay monogamous.

The Azara Owl Monkey o Mother carries infant on back or thigh. o The father is in charge of caretaking, grooming, playing and feeding of baby. o The mates keep their tales linked together most of the time. o The male’s close proximity to the female and his young promote that deep emotional tie that is crucial for monogamous relationships.

List some examples of how humans raise children differently than the 15 -29% of primates that favor “pair bonds”/monogamy.

Humans VS Primates o Rely on alloparents (relatives/family friends) VS Soul nurturer o Educate themselves with outsides resources VS Follow instincts before raising children o Allow children to stay home after reaching VS Children of primates are adulthood expected to fend for themselves after a period o Some parents think an immediate response to crying can spoil a child VS Respond to crying immediately

Bibliography o Angeloni, Elvio, and Larry Loeppke. Physical Anthropology 12/13. Mc. Graw-Hill, 2012.