health
February 5, 2026
Why is monogamy in crisis? The animal kingdom could give us some clues
As fewer people choose to pair up, let alone marry, it could be that our species’ mating patterns are moving closer to the natural order
TL;DR
- Monogamy is perceived to be in crisis, with rising trends of "quiet divorce" and "ethical non-monogamy" (ENM).
- Dating app profiles increasingly mention preferences for ENM or existing partners.
- Pop culture and surveys indicate growing cynicism and doubt about the realism and naturalness of monogamy.
- A University of Cambridge study ranked humans in the top 10 for monogamous pairings among mammals but below species like African wild dogs and beavers.
- The study measured reproductive monogamy, which may not fully apply to humans due to factors like birth control and cultural influences.
- Marriage is a relatively recent human institution, shaped by cultural norms, religion, and the state, and has historically been used to control property and paternity.
- Global societies exhibit diverse approaches to partnership, with only a minority being strictly monogamous.
- The current questioning of monogamy can be viewed as an evolutionary step, reflecting humanity's historical tolerance for diverse pairing arrangements.
- The state of monogamy is influenced by politics, religion, culture, economics, and technology, and will continue to evolve.
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