***Post your thoughts on the following quote***

[Cygnusx2112]

I think that monogamy is artificial. I do not think it's something that comes naturally to us.

-Tom Ford

[datasuspect]

1. genetically/biologically, for males, its is completely unnatural

it is a societal construct

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. Then don't make vows to the contrary.

Seems like a no-brainer to me. :)

[Cygnusx2112]

3. Vows or no vows (as constructs of flawed religious institutions)...

Is monogamy natural for humans?

I think the divorce rate is something like 75%.

Should you be tied to somebody emotionally or sexually for a lifetime?

Marriage used to be for property rights.

[datasuspect]

5. yes

the woman was chattel and essentially bonded to servitude.

[crim son]

4. It may not come naturally, but it is not impossible.

On the other hand, why attach oneself forever because society prefers that you do?

[LaraMN]

6. Probably largely true, in a biological sense.

But our brains are *supposed* to override the biological sense.

[mark414]

7. i would mostly agree with it

if memory serves me correctly there are a couple species of animals out there that will have only one mate in a lifetime, i guess you could call that monogamy, but like every social institution we have, it is completely an artificial construct. not to say that makes it a bad thing - my parents just celebrated 30 years of marriage and i would say that that is a great thing...it's just not for me.

[ThomCat]

8. So is everything else in civilization.

Sitting down all day isn't natural, but we do it.
Staring primarily at short distances isn't natural, but we do that too.
There are lots of things that are entirely unnatural that are now normal parts of our lives.
:shrug:

[johnnie]

9. I think Tom Ford got busted cheating on his wife or something

[MsAnthropy]

10. Life expectancy used to be around 30

we're living a LOT longer and still expected to spend it with one person.

[Writer]

11. I absolutely 100% agree.

Monogamy, or marriage for that matter, is a man-made institution that we practice for the sake of 1) maintaining a stable society, and 2) children.

Perhaps, one day, it may be natural, but I can tell you - and I am as conscientious as they come - that it is not a natural state for myself.

[Rabrrrrrr]

12. I agree. Totally artificial, and, in many ways, makes no sense.

I don't know that all people are inherently or naturally non-monogamous - I don't really have any desire to be non-monogamous, but I don't know if that's because of my biological makeup, or social conditioning (and I expect it's far more the latter than the former) - but I think the majority of people, if we let nature take its course, are not programmed to be monogamous. One need only look to the Republican party to realize this.

And I don't see any real social value placed on monogamy, except perhaps for the reduction in the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases.

Or maybe it's those destined to become Democrats who are more wired for monogamy (that is, more evolved), and thus no need for constantly enacting laws to "preserve" monogamy, since most of us wouldn't go against it anyway so why bother making laws about it?, while those wired for Republicanism are not wired for monogamy, but in their unevolved state they accept hook, line, and sinker the stupid ramblings of their Preacher Authorities, and thus their constant attempts to legislate sexuality laws because they are, in a sense, trying to rein themselves in out of a sense of guilt and because they know they don't have the self-control to do so on their own.

[idgiehkt]

13. there's alot besides monogamy that is artificial

compulsory heterosexuality, for instance.
gender roles.
division of sexual preference into two extremes, heterosexuality and homosexuality, which is an improvement over the first one but still not totally authentic.

why on earth do we do all this shit? Monogamy is bundled up in there with the rest of it...why all the sexual governance, I wonder.

I think monogamy is a great idea to protect against diseases, especially for a mother who is breast-feeding a kid since what goes into her body goes into the child's body. I think you could argue that short-term monogamy is a biological imperative but after she gets done breast-feeding, I just don't know. Some people have said that then the female usually looks for a totally different mate, I guess she vies for this season's strongest Mr. tall, dark and handsome or something. Since among males the older ones are always getting bested by the younger and or stronger ones and this is a perpetual process it would make long-term monogamy undesirable and unnatural for females as well since they are programmed to seek the strongest/ most dominant male to father their children each time they come in season. In the animal world. :rofl: What's that word, 'anthropomorphization' or something?

I do think it's ironic that trying to say non-monogamy is 'unnatural' for everyone is the same as trying to enforce compulsory monogamy on everyone and it doesn't allow for the fact that there is alot of variation among humans about what they prefer.

[bigwillq]

14. I agree with it.

I have urges.