[baddox]

You might not like a further reduction which I suspect is true, which is that monogamy (punctuated or otherwise) itself is an economic (or if you prefer, game theoretical) institution dating back to when females traded reproduction for food and protection. There was no easy way for a male to determine the paternity of the child of a female with which he has mated, other than securing an ostensibly exclusive relationship and monitoring the female's fidelity as best as possible.

Of course, I don't think that takes anything away from the couples you know.

[maratd]

> There's no easy way for a male to determine the paternity of the child of a female with which he has mated, other than securing an ostensibly exclusive relationship and monitoring the female's fidelity as best as possible.

I disagree.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Y34OKA

[baddox]

I meant a long time ago, when these institutions first developed among humans. The fact that paternity tests exist now probably only corroborates my point. I'll edit the comment for clarity.

[maratd]

It's an important distinction. The desire for fidelity is clearly genetic. I agree with you, it probably entered the gene pool because of those reasons. With those reasons now gone, it can and probably will exit the gene pool. This will drastically change the nature of human relationships.

[baddox]

Yes, I think we agree fully. I would add that the persistence of norms does not have to be directly genetic in the way most people would interpret that. It could be indirectly genetic, in the sense that we have a strong genetic propensity to adopt the norms of our social surroundings and attempt to spread those norms to the next generation. That propensity probably applies even for norms that have far outlived their original purpose.

[tomp]

I don't think the reasons are gone completely. Having children is much more than mating with someone and taking a test to determine that the children are yours. I want to have children one day, so I'm very careful with who I select for a partner, because I want her to be there with me raising our children, and be very committed to the family.

[brm]

Monogomy in the modern age has always seemed like a sexual (and emotional) put option.

That said this rock that we're flying through space on becomes much less enjoyable if you stop believing entirely in the more romantic ideas of human entanglement (we are beings that need stories).