Mating Systems
Updated:Mating systems refer to the patterns of sexual relationships between individuals within a species or society. These systems describe how individuals pair up for reproduction and the social structures that support these pairings. In humans and other animals, mating systems can vary widely, influenced by factors such as environment, resources, and cultural norms.
Additional Information
Common mating systems include:
- Monogamy: One male mates with one female exclusively.
- Polygamy: Multiple mating partners, which can be further divided into:
- Promiscuity: Both males and females mate with multiple partners
Human mating systems are complex and can be influenced by cultural, social, and personal factors. While many human societies practice social monogamy, other forms of relationships exist, including consensual non-monogamy.
Examples
Pair-bonding in gibbons, where a male and female form a long-term, monogamous relationship
Polygynous marriages in some human cultures, where a man may have multiple wives
Serial monogamy in modern Western societies, where individuals have exclusive relationships but may have multiple partners over a lifetime