The History of Adultery

A million years ago we lived much like our nearest relatives, the bonobos and chimpanzees. Unlike other animals that breed only on a few days of the year, we human bred all year round. We were promiscuous. Then around 10,000 BC, with the invention of agriculture, we did a 180-degree flip. We invented marriage and monogamy. This was in conflict with our biological nature, so we invented adultery, but carefully kept it under wraps.

Monogamy had some useful purposes:

• Preventing the spread of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases).
• Preventing the spread of parasites.
• Ensuring the children a man supports are genetically his.

The modern condom is very good at preventing all STDs. Pretty well all parasites can be dealt with. They are more an inconvenience than a threat. Today technology has provided multiple excellent means of birth control. We have Maury Povich and the DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) paternity test. So the necessity of monogamy is evaporating. People are living far longer than ever before. Till death do us part is a much longer term commitment than it used to be. Humans are adjusting with more frequent divorce and serial marriages. Another option is consensual, constrained adultery. This is a practical solution often adopted by gay couples who don’t want to lose their primary relationship just because of wanderlust.

~ Roedy (1948-02-04 age:70)