What are the advantages and disavantages of monogamy?

Answer 1

The primary advantage to monogamy is social acceptance, which would seem to be a bit of a wicked cycle; were people less afraid of social rejection, there may be a rise in polygamy, if there is a rise in polygamy, it would become more socially acceptable.

Other than that, there is the matter of legal marriage throughout various countries in the world. Many countries, even those which allow homosexual marriage, do not sanction polygamous relationships in the least, much less allowing marriage to multiple people.

There is also the point of less exposure to anything sexually transmitted, though this would be more an advantage of honesty and communication within a relationship.

As well, there is less of a chance of jealousy between the members in a perfectly monogamous relationship, though, again, this may be averted through honest communication and expressing one's comfort levels.

Honesty and trust should be enough to make any relationship work, monogamous or not, and thus the only advantages to a monogamous relationship would seem to be those imposed upon us by society and individual preferences.

Answer 2

Pros:

- Some man have more than one wife

- Many other man have no wives

- Many women have to share one man

Cons:

- Some man have more than one wife

- Many other man have no wives

- Many women have to share one man

Both are pros and cons depending of the viewpoint. A man of wealth and power will see no cons, a poor man with no power will see no pros. I doubt women ever reaped any benefits from such an arrangement.

Answer 3

Since this question is categorized under "The Bible", I will use the Bible to answer it. There are no "benefits" to polygamy, and God does Not condone it. There are people in the Bible who practiced it, and were considered men of God, but that does not mean that God agreed with everything they did.

God made One woman for Adam

Genesis 2

22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Men of God are supposed to have one wife

Deuteronomy 17

17Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

1 Timothy 3

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

Each wife is to have her own husband, and each husband his own wife...

Ephesians 5

22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

God is a God of order and of principle. He never changes. Please study the Bible, and remember that His comamndments Never change.

Edit: Addendum - non-bible answer

Advantages:

-in societies with a large male:female or female:male ratios this can allow more people to attain the status of married

-allow the production of children when one partner is infertile

-ensures that children will always be cared for (unlikely that ALL parents will die at same time)

-in polygynous marriages, it maximizes the seed-spreading potential of males

-increases amount of family (extended) that can be counted on in times of hardship

-always have a babysitter

Disadvantages:

-perceived 'unfairness'

-social stigma in many cultures

-if both polyandry and polygyny were to be allowed at the same time... marriages could get extremely complicated

Edit: Addendum Part II - Response to quotes:

Genesis 2:22-24

Doesn't expressly forbid polygamy. Implies that a union between a man and a woman would constitute a 'whole' being. Says nothing of becoming more than 'whole'.

Deuteronomy 17, Timothy 3:2, 12

Forbids polygyny not polyandry.

Only forbids polygyny among the bishops and the deacons. Actually could be interpreted to encourage polyandry among deacons.

Ephisian 5:22,31-33

Doesn't touch on the subject of polygamy save for the two become one statement (again no prohibition from becoming more than 'whole'). Most of these quotes are requirements for subservience from the wife to the spouse.

Answer 4

A monogamous relationship has the advantages of trust, respect, and love in the American culture. By pledging yourself to one person (and remaining so) a bond is formed between the two lovers which cannot be shared by a polygamous relationship. While the ideal of having numerous lovers simultaneously appeals to many people, it has not had a successful track record in America. It depends where your values lie as a person.

Answer 5

In my opinion, the advantages of Manogamy are that you are in a commited relationship with that one special person that you want to share your life with and you can give all your love to.

The disadvantages of it are that you are expected to stay commited to that ONE person and you can not venture out and see if there are others that you feel are right for you as well.

Answer 6

advantages disadvantages of polygamy and monogamy