The biological imperative is to get copies of you genes into subsequent gene pools (generations).
The more successful an organism is the more copies of its genes are present down the line.
Sex mixed genes and causes variation.
Variation enables mutation and adaptation to change. It gives a greater chance of success.
Males and females use different tactics to get greater chances of success.
Males
Males produce billions of sperm. They can physically father thousands of offspring.
They are less choosy about who they select to mate with.
They go for quantity of offspring and not quality.
The ideal circumstances for a male is to have a stable relationship in which a small number of children are cared for and nurtured. This gives them a better survival rate and hence a greater chance that his genes with successfully survive into future gene pools. But at the same time to mate with a number of other females and impregnate them. They will then bring up his children in other nurturing environments without him having to contribute.
Females
Females only produce a small number of eggs. Due to the length of the gestation period they can only mother a limited number of children.
They go for quality over quantity.
They are more choosy about who they select as a mate.
They attract in a number of males and select the best to mate with.
They then create a stable relationship in which both male and female nurture the children giving them the greatest opportunity for survival. That way she ensures the maximum number of her genes in the next generations.
The ideal circumstances for the female is a stable relationship in which the children are cared for and nurtured by both parents. This gives them a better survival rate and hence a better chance that her genes will be there in the next gene pool. But at the same time it would be advantageous to have relationships outside of the marriage so that some of the children have different genes. This creates more variation and gives a greater chance for her genes to survive.
Both sexes have a vested interest in both stable relationships and affairs. Infidelity is biologically programmed. Perhaps humans need to reflect on our social models for marriage?
Um… I think your logic is severely flawed. I appreciate your opinion but it makes little sense. If that were truly the case than EVERY relationship would involve cheating, or there would be no relationships as they limit the male’s ability to mate with as many females as possible. Wouldn’t complete sexual anarchy favor men more, more quantity, than having any form of relationship? Since that isn’t the case, I can’t help but find your logic off.
Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated. I’m not sure it is flawed. It is just not absolute. Biologically there seems a lot of evidence for the principle. The level of infidelity is very high. Studies have shown that many children who appear to be from stable marriages actually have more than one father. I am not suggesting that every relationship shows the same infidelity. What I am saying is that there is a biological tendency towards this model because of the variety it introduced and hence the greater survival possibilities and chances of your genes being passed on. Our only immortality is from our genes still being there many thousands of generations later. The way we get them there. The male does have a vested interest in forming relationships. If he puts the effort in his children have a greater chance of surviving. He puts his eggs in two baskets – so to speak. He goes for numbers and looks to nurture as well.
Human evolution is so recent. The model is based on primitive societies. It becomes more complex with the complexity of modern living where the State plays a role in the survival of our offspring. But we haven’t changed biologically. I think it holds true.
It’s worth thinking about.
I’ve been thinking about this more. I still think the biological imperative is valid. What is clear is that our intelligence makes our behaviour complex. Our behaviour is informed by millennia of cultural, religious, societal and moral superposition. The result is that the biological instinct is supressed and modified in many instances.