Chapter 11 - Courtship, Mating, Marriage, and Parenting

Abstract

This chapter discusses the social compromises and pattern that have been seen in contemporary human societies, both traditional and modern. The social changes were attributable to the new value systems of each new generation as it reached sexual maturity. But there have been changes in the sexual behavior and attitudes of individuals over time. This adaptive flexibility is one of the hallmarks of the species and among the most important of behaviors and institutions that adapt are those relating to sex and mating. This chapter also looks at human sexual diversity and flexibility throughout evolution. In humans, harem defense polygyny is sometimes hard to distinguish from resource defense and female-choice polygyny. It is clear that men who have multiple wives or concubines are generally the same men who have significant assets of property and other valuables, but sometimes this is because rich and powerful men are able to attract women into mutually agreed-upon polygamous unions, while in other instances polygamy is coerced. A history of “mild polygyny” also helps to explain some of the patterns seen in human sex ratios. In some cultures throughout history and even today, rape has been one way of obtaining a sexual partner or even a mate. “Marriage by rape” is not an uncommon practice. Marriage by abduction was a practice that continued well into this century. As a consequence of changing social norms and policies, marriage by rape has all but disappeared. Perhaps this example, as much as any other, can serve to show that biology is not destiny and that culture, as well as the gene pool, continually evolves.