Love stories always teach us that life becomes complete when we find a true partner. Most marriages, love stories and romantic films show us this. But does a person really spend his entire life with only one partner? A new study from Cambridge University has presented such data on monogamy, i.e. the habit of humans to live with only one partner for life, which is different from our thoughts and shocking. Let us find out.

Habit of love or rule of society?

We always think that a person in love spends his entire life with one partner. Stories like Romeo-Juliet, Heer-Ranjha teach us this. The vows taken in marriage to live together till the end of life also prove this trust. But are these just social ideals, or is this really human nature?

human monogamy scale

Cambridge University researcher Mark Dyble did in-depth research on monogamy in humans and animals. He looked at how many real brothers and sisters there were among the children born in a given population. The species that produces more siblings is considered more monogamous. In this way humans, other animals and mammals were compared.

How many people rank in the human monogamy league?

In this research, humans came at number seven. This means that we are not completely committed to one life partner, but we are not completely non-monogamous either. Humans are less monogamous than Eurasian beavers, but more so than meerkats, red foxes, and salivary gibbons. At the top of this list is the California Deer Mouse, which lives with the same partner throughout its life.

The real reason for monogamy

Dyble says that the reason for monogamy in humans is not just romance. The real reason is the safety and upbringing of children. Living with the same partner for a long time keeps children safe, they have resources and the family becomes stronger. Therefore, apart from love, this is also a kind of practical strategy.

Human relationships are not just romance

We think that love is the reason for monogamy, but the truth is that human relationships do not last only because of love. Family, friends, relatives, society – the relationships between all these run human life. Monogamy has made humans a cooperative, intelligent and social creature.

From movies and stories to reality

Movies and books definitely give us the idea of ​​true love and one partner, but in the real world, a person is as monogamous as the needs of life and society allow him to be. Love, affection and trust are important, but the safety of children and society is also important behind this.

humans and other animals

Apart from humans, monogamy of animals was also examined in the research. Animals like African wild dog and mole rat were found to be more monogamous than humans. The least monogamous were sheep and some monkey species. This shows that humans are not completely made for just one partner.

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