The Monogamy Gene: Wired to Cheat?
Four Out of Ten Men May Have a Genetic Tenedency Toward Poor Relationships
Is your Partner Destined to Cheat?
Does this mean that there's a four in ten chance that your man has two copies of the monogamy gene and he may be wired to cheat? Should you expect problems with your relationship? Not at all. Genetic tendencies do not supplant free will. Having two copies of the monogamy gene, simple makes it a little more difficult to behave in a certain way. We all make choices every day of our lives, and some are more difficult than others.
Whether it's choosing a salad over a pepperoni pizza, hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock, or wearing a seatbelt, there are things that we do, because we know we should. Most of them are not the easiest choice. Every man and woman is capable of deciding to be faithful to their spouse without regard to their genetic make-up. This study is not a get out of jail free card for wandering partners.
Avoiding Temptations
It does mean, however, that certain people may need to be more careful. When I'm trying to lose weight, I avoid the bakery. Similarly, people who feel they are at risk, should avoid situations that may lead to temptation. Regularly carpooling with a coworker of the opposite sex, going out to clubs or bars at night without your spouse, and similar activities should be avoided.
Similarly, the benefits of a committed marriage may need to be reinforced from time to time. Adopting the simple habit of thinking each day of three reasons why you love being married to your wife can have a powerful reinforcing effect on your relationship. It also provides a ready way to counter those temptations that do come along. Having two copies of the monogamy gene may mean you have to work harder to maintain a loving, committed relationship, but after all, don't we all have a higher appreciation for the things we work hardest to achieve?
Published by Brad Sylvester - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Brad spent 18 years in the consumer electronics industry, including more than ten years in new product development. He now writes full time from his home in the mountains of New Hampshire. View profile
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21 Comments
Post a CommentI'm really tired of this research singling out MEN. Always MEN. Tell this crap to my ex wife. :-(
Interesting theory. Maybe someday there will be a quick saliva test so people can check out a partner before marriage, lol.
Your comments about avoiding temptation are spot on, but sadly so few people seem to get that concept.
Right on, Kovacs!
Finally, we're one step closer to a cure for monogamy.
Very interesting information -- I think that there will be more research on this genome by other scientists to prove or disprove these findings. Obviously there are innumerable other factors that affect marriage, but I'm sure that this isn't the only gene pair responsible for things of that nature. I believe that it extends beyond marriage to other characteristics as well. And yes, I believe that God caused the big bang, but I don't believe in predestination (believing that it is already determined whether we will go to Heaven of Hell when we die). The reason that I choose not to believe this is because I don't believe that god would endow one of his beloved creations with a soul and doom it to eternal damnation. This was a great article by the way, nice work.
Very interesting article. I believe that it is possible. I also believe our childhood affects how men and women relate and behave. I think that a lot has to do with choices, like you said, staying away from temptation is important. Great article.
Monogomy gene, really? I don't buy it.
Would I be correct, then, in suggesting that you would agree that God touched off the explosion and hasn't associated with his creation since? I had a bit of a different understanding from "..., just the way God intended as we evolved."
Hmmm...
While I won't pretend to know the mind of God, I certainly think that when he set off the Big Bang, he knew how everything would turn out: how we would evolve, which creatures would fail to adapt, who would be saved, and so forth. He is omniprescient after all. Knowing the outcome is not the same as intelligent design, which is a flawed concept. It isn't necessary to make up excuses to explain away all the evidence of evolution, nor that the earth isn't the center of the universe, nor any of the other concepts that were defended because they seemed to the most devout at any particular point in history to contradict the teachings of the Bible. Such foolishness undermines faith rather than supporting it.