Yes

by Wayne Leon Learmond

Created on: December 07, 2010   Last Updated: December 08, 2010

The question has to be asked, was the human species meant to be monogamous? When one looks at other life forms - other than human - one can clearly see that monogamy is rare indeed in the natural world. Granted, there are a few animals and birds that mate and stay together for life - such as the swan, for example. But in the natural world they are the exception, rather than the rule. It seems in the natural world, that everybody is doing it with everybody else and be damned the consequences.

There are many however, that state that the human species are a breed apart from the animals and birds within the natural world. And, it is because of this, that we should remain monogamous. Why should this be the case? If it is good enough for the animals and birds, why then cannot it be good enough for us? The other thing that sets us apart from the animal kingdom is the emotion of love. We say that we love our partners and never want to be without them

Somewhere deep within the human psyche is a trigger and the trigger is so evident within the human race that it cannot be ignored. Our senses work in such a way that we are attracted to whoever takes our fancy, whether we be attached or not. In fact, the laws of attraction continue to work and do not stop simply because the person may be wearing a wedding band.

If one takes a serious look at the whole subject of monogamy within the human race, then one has to say that - as in the animal kingdom - it is rare. So, does that mean then that we are no more than animals? Sowing our seeds wherever and whenever the fancy takes us?

Indeed, to stick to just one partner for the rest of your life is a feat, and an achievement. But, is it natural? The one thing that separates and sets us above the animals and birds, is the knowledge of right and wrong. It is because of this knowledge and this awareness, this - conscience - that we suffer pangs of guilt. But again, why should this be the case?

If we are only following our natural instincts that we have followed for millennia, since we lived in caves, then why should we feel any less guilty? Religion has played a massive part in trying to dumb down our urges for each other and, as in everything else, religion has tried to stem our natural sexual urges to such a degree that there are many people who rigidly stick to the strict guidelines of marriage. This is simply because the huge weight of guilt has been placed upon our heads by religion.

Yes, we are more than the sum of our parts, we are more than the animals, birds and fish that we see around us. Yet, knowing that, does it make us any less sexual? We are a species with feelings and desires within and all those who believe in the sanctity of marriage have dumbed down their feelings. This they have done to such an extent that now divorce rates are at a record high. Is this because they are not being honest with each other from the start?

Why is this? It seems that the marriage vows are becoming a thing of the past and, indeed marriage overall, is not all that it is made out to be. Granted, there are countless many who marry and stay together for the rest of their lives, whose eyes are only for each other and no one else. But yet, there are others who simply cannot remain 'faithful', in the true sense of the word.

Yes, they may love their husbands, wives, partners, with all of their hearts, and would die for them too. But the complexity of the human race deems it that within us there seems to be a trigger. This trigger is activated within us and so we stray. Is this libido? Are these natural urges that we simply cannot control because they are ingrained within us? Why should we try and control and stem something that is so deep-seated within us?

Scientists are looking at the whole question of infidelity and trying to figure out what it is that makes someone, although they may be married, stray? We are separate from the animal kingdom in so many ways, yet, at the same time, we are part of it still. Are these 'urges' clues as to what we really are and cannot escape from?

To sum up, infidelity is acceptable depending in which society you happen to live in. For instance, within some African cultures, it is natural to have more than one wife at any given time. Would such a thing be accepted in the western world? What may seem strange to one race of people, is perfectly natural to another race - especially if it is a part of their culture.

For people to have more than one wife, does it may them any less respectable in our eyes? They may love each wife equally, or indeed have their favourites, but who are we to judge? In the west we frown upon such things because it is unnatural to us. But is it? With infidelity rates shooting up all the time, it puts into question the whole scenario of marriage and the marriage vows. Indeed, could we, in the west, be experiencing our natural born urges coming through {as much as we try to deny them?} It is indeed, food for thought.

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