Monogamy is a way of understanding love, a style of loving in which there is a commitment of two people in a bond of exclusivity. That is, a love for two. From this point of view, monogamy is opposed to polygamy.
Monogamy refers to that exclusivity for the duration of the relationship. A reciprocity from the emotional and sexual point of view. Therefore, fidelity is a fundamental value in this affective bond.
Exclusive love
From this perspective, when a person makes a commitment to his partner, he is assuming his emotional involvement with a love story, ruling out any possible involvement in the same conditions with potential candidates.
It is possible to break that relationship to start a new one, but for a person who has a vision of faithful love, the idea of having a love relationship with different people at the same time or leading a double life is incompatible.
Monogamy is also influenced by the social and cultural customs of a people. Two people who live love from fidelity, will be so even in a long distance relationship since the essence of the bond is also emotional.
Today, monogamy is the dominant social structure in countries that have a Christian influence. It is often assumed early in a relationship that the other also aspires to a monogamous relationship, without actually addressing this issue at the beginning of a story. This can lead to bonds of frustration because there are no common expectations in both. The opposite of a monogamous relationship is an open relationship.
However, the important thing is that you are in a clear relationship, in which you know exactly what pact you establish with your partner (a pact that is mutually agreed). The film "Ana y el Rey" starring Jodie Foster is an example of a story that reflects, among other issues, on how culture influences the way of living love.
Movie recommendation
The film tells the story of Anna Leonowens, a British teacher who travels to Thailand to work for King Siam as a trainer for his 58 children. Anna's arrival in Thailand in the temporal context of the 19th century places the governess before a new cultural framework that breaks with her schemes and values.
Photos: Fotolia - Anna / Balint Radu
