Will Monogamy Decline in the Future? 3 Love and Marriage Models That May Replace It

The existence of matrimony is for the purpose of procreating offspring. Matrimony can subsist without wealth and spiritual pursuits, but it cannot subsist without intercourse. Matrimony and intercourse exist among all living beings, such as flora. Only after pollination can they blossom, bear fruit, and form seeds. Some flora are dioecious and some are monoecious. In contrast to fauna, flora possess a remarkably robust reproductive capacity. A solitary plant can generate thousands of seeds. In order to guarantee the prosperity of humanity, how can humans ensure a gradual increase, or at the very least, a non-decrease in the number of future generations?

During this juncture, polygamy or polyandry emerged. Polygamy and polyandry both serve the purpose of procreating more offspring for men or women. Naturally, the emergence of polygamy or polyandry is also intertwined with human beings’ pursuit of sexual gratification. Human beings’ pursuit of sexual gratification is influenced by psychological and physiological factors alike. Some individuals secrete higher levels of male hormones, while others secrete higher levels of female hormones. This, in turn, intensifies their sexual needs, thereby providing support for polygamy or polyandry.

Nonetheless, regardless of the form of the marital union, the propagation of offspring is accomplished by the wife, with the husband solely contributing sperm.

In the case of polyandry, a pregnancy lasting for nine months affects the quality of life and poses a significant threat to health. Even a slight negligence can imperil life. If a woman gives birth frequently and possesses exceedingly poor physical fitness, she is likely to have a shortened lifespan. This arrangement is unjust to women and inflicts physical and psychological harm upon them. Consequently, in contemporary society, most nations have abolished polyandry. Such a circumstance only persists in socially underdeveloped regions. Polygamy has also been largely eradicated as it perpetuates the inequality of women’s status. During this era, discrepancies in sexual relationships, wealth distribution, and social standing among women diminished the level of happiness in their lives.

In our nation, the law solely permits monogamy, otherwise it is deemed a crime of bigamy. The status of women has been elevated, and men and women enjoy equal opportunities in employment, education, and other spheres. Nevertheless, in the early part of the previous century, Chinese women still bore offspring with great frequency. It was exceedingly common for a family to have four or five children, and even seven or eight children would be born. Women’s physical fitness declined considerably, which consequently led to food scarcity in China. Moreover, the level of medicine and healthcare during that period was not advanced, resulting in a high prevalence of various ailments among women, thereby hindering their pursuit of longevity. China implemented the Reproductive System Plan. The rate and scale of population growth were controlled for a specific period, but presently, there is an increase in the proportion of elderly individuals and an insufficient number of young people.

Now, due to the legal stipulation that women cannot be compelled to bear children or enter into marriage, many women have begun to oppose childbirth and marriage, resulting in a severe shortage of newborns. This has a certain impact on China’s economic development and social stability. Some individuals believe that monogamy will wane as a consequence. These three models of love and matrimony may be supplanted in the future!

The first speculation is the emergence of polyandry. Women with superior health may be permitted to bear more children, or even practice polyandry. The fundamental reason why women are disinclined to have more children is due to financial pressures. Additionally, women still encounter employment discrimination at particular times. Once they give birth, they may face permanent unemployment, thus leading many women to refuse childbirth.

However, polyandry is no longer viable in China. It contradicts the objective of achieving gender equality and would still harm women’s bodies.

The second speculation is that individuals who cohabit without marrying can separate at will without assuming any responsibility. Some women abstain from having children due to their unmarried status. These individuals refrain from marriage due to concerns about encountering domestic violence after tying the knot, as many women presently experience various forms of domestic violence post-marriage. However, even when two individuals cohabit without marrying, post-marital violence may still occur, thus failing to address women’s concerns. Additionally, children who are raised in cohabiting unions without marriage may face societal discrimination, which is detrimental to their healthy development. As a result, this notion is unrealistic.

The third speculation is that individuals live in communal arrangements, with several pairs of men and women cohabiting without fixed couples. Whoever desires to have children can do so, and whoever is capable of bearing children can do so. This idea is extremely absurd and would lead to a high likelihood of consanguineous unions. It is widely known that incestuous marriages can easily lead to various genetic disorders in offspring. Chinese law prohibits incestuous marriages. Thisapproach would also contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, skin ailments, and infectious diseases. Those who entertain such thoughts engage in them solely to satisfy their own selfish desires. Just look at countries other than China. Among those nations that do not practice monogamy, which country has achieved significant economic development? India has long permitted polygamy and polyandry, resulting in a proliferation of slums and a complete lack of social status for women in India.

Of course, marriage exacts a significant toll on both men and women. For instance, women endure physical damage from childbirth, while men face financial constraints from providing dowries and purchasing a home. However, marriage serves as a protective barrier for all. Once two individuals are wedded, they can support one another in life, share the burdens of financial pressure, and provide solace during times of unhappiness. Marriage not only sustains the functioning of society and facilitates the expansion of human civilization, but it also serves as a means to enhance personal well-being. Monogamy ensures that both men and women assume equal responsibilities and enjoy corresponding rights, making it the most optimal form of matrimony.