Mate-guarding
Updated:Mate-guarding refers to behaviors and strategies employed by individuals to maintain their romantic or sexual relationship by preventing their partner from engaging in sexual or emotional relationships with others. This behavior is rooted in evolutionary psychology and can manifest in various ways, from subtle actions to more overt displays of possessiveness or jealousy.
Additional Information
Mate-guarding behaviors can be observed across many species, including humans. In human relationships, it may involve actions such as:
- Increased attention and affection towards one's partner
- Monitoring a partner's activities or whereabouts
- Displaying jealousy or possessiveness
- Verbal or physical confrontations with perceived rivals
While some degree of mate-guarding can be considered normal in committed relationships, excessive or controlling behaviors can be unhealthy and potentially abusive. It's important to distinguish between reasonable boundaries and harmful, controlling actions.
From an evolutionary perspective, mate-guarding is thought to have developed as a strategy to ensure paternity certainty for males and resource security for females. However, in modern human societies, these behaviors are influenced by a complex interplay of cultural, social, and individual factors.
Examples
A partner frequently checking their significant other's phone or social media accounts
Someone becoming visibly upset or confrontational when their partner interacts with potential romantic rivals
An individual accompanying their partner to social events to discourage advances from others