monogamie

Monogamie, or monogamy, is a mating pattern in which an individual forms a long-term relationship with a single partner. In scientific discussions, several forms are recognized: social monogamy, when two individuals live together and share parenting; sexual monogamy, when partners remain sexually exclusive; and genetic monogamy, when offspring arise from a mating pair that is exclusive at the genetic level.

In humans, monogamy has historically varied by culture and era. Many societies emphasize lifelong marriage as a social norm, often tied to kinship, inheritance, or religion. Other patterns include serial monogamy, where individuals have successive monogamous partnerships, and non-monogamous arrangements that are culturally accepted or legally prohibited depending on jurisdiction.

In the animal kingdom, monogamy occurs in varying degrees. Birds show high rates of social monogamy, with shared territory and parental care, while genetic monogamy is less common due to extra-pair reproduction. In mammals, true long-term monogamy is rarer but present in species such as certain rodents and primates, including prairie voles, which show strong pair bonds.

Evolutionary explanations propose benefits such as cooperative care of offspring, efficient territory defense, and reduced mating costs, balanced against costs like reduced genetic diversity and opportunity costs. The existence of polygamy, polyandry, and ethical non-monogamy in humans highlights that monogamy is not universal and may be shaped by ecological, social, and individual factors.

Monogamy continues to be debated in policy and culture, including debates about marriage law, family structure, and sexual autonomy. It remains a central concept in biology and anthropology for understanding how organisms maximize reproductive success and social cohesion.