Essay Sample on Unveiling the Human Sexual Nature: Monogamy vs. Repression

Introduction

Different psychologists have conducted studies to discover the main force behind humans' true sexual nature. The studies try to unveil the reasons why humans act in specific ways. The book "Sex at Dawn" (2010) by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha focuses on monogamy and the repression it brings about in the humans' true sexual nature. However, Marlene Zuk, a behavioral ecologist, and a biologist, in her book "Paleofantasy: What Evolution Really Tells Us about, and How we live” (2013) criticizes Ryan and Jetha's accounts. She argues that it is difficult to have a clear understanding of the real human sexual nature through the study of apes and prehistoric ancestors. This paper targets to describe Ryan and Jetha's account of the origins of monogamy, and later evaluate the criticism made by Zuk on the dual's account. Finally, the article will compare the arguments between the two parties and pick the most convincing evidence supporting reasons for the choice.

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Repression by Monogamy

Ryan and Jetha's book "Sex at Dawn" (2010) is a detailed presentation that talks about why humans stray, mate, and the meaning of modern relationships (Ryan & Jetha, 2010). The most crucial discussion point in the book is that monogamy is against human sexual nature. The word "Dawn" as used in the book's title refers to the dawn of humanity in the Paleolithic era. The two authors describe how sex used to be during the Paleolithic period to explain the current sexual behavior. Given the monogamous Western culture, most fail due to adultery. According to Ryan and Jetha, the failure of this monogamous culture in the west is because, just like the prehistoric ancestors, current human beings are sexually promiscuous; that is, they prefer multiple sexual partners. The authors illustrate their theory with a chimpanzee, the closest human primate. The female chimpanzee can have multiple intercourses with almost every male per day. They also use the bonobo to illustrate group sex, which helps improve social networks and leaves each party relaxed (Ryan & Jetha, 2010). After discussing human primates, the authors go a step further to discuss the nature of the human body. They described the nature of male testicles, that is, big size, which does not apply for a monogamous primate. They argued that male genitals could make multiple ejaculations, and the female can have recurrent orgasms. Ryan and Jetha stated that the above are indicators that the prehistoric promiscuity vision holds. The duals argue that the agricultural revolution has redirected and repressed human sexual nature.

Agricultural Revolution

The 17th and 19th-century agricultural revolution transitioned hunting and gathering to settled agriculture. During this period, paternity became a concern. The agrarian revolution was necessary as it provided humans with food for survival. However, it brought the issue of property accumulation and ownership. In a bid to protect the land, human beings started practicing child paternity. This practice brought about monogamy. Monogamy is the act of getting married or having sexual intimacy with one person. Monogamy brought certainty that a newborn child belongs to the specific man. After maturity, the child would work on the farm and later inherit the land from his parents.

Before people ventured into farming, they practiced nomadism, where they lived in groups. In their nomadic groups, everything got shared, from food to sexual partners. The group’s main desire was survival. However, in the current society, monogamy has become a public statement. Monogamy gets viewed as an entity that facilitates relationships and human life. But, in most cases, monogamous relationships undergo serious challenges, the main challenge being adultery. From this evidence, Ryan and Jetha's statement that monogamy is not part of human nature gets confirmed. The struggle to go against the real nature of human sexuality leads to the collapse of marriages, sexual frustration, shame, confusion, impulse betrayal, and libido-killing boredom (Ryan & Jetha, 2010).

Zuk’s Critism

Ryan and Jetha's theory, however, faces criticism from Marlene Zuk. In her book, Paleofantasy: What Evolution Really Tells Us about Sex, Diet, and How We Live (2013), Zuk evaluates several theories put across regarding the prehistoric past, and the closest human primates. In her evaluation, Zuk targets to understand the sex life of modern human beings. Zuk criticizes the assumptions made concerning human sexual nature derived from apes (bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas) and the prehistoric ancestors. According to Zuk, a human being can evolve from great apes but not possible to exhibit similar characteristics. In support of this argument, Zuk stated that for at least 5 million years now, humans had not had a common ancestor. This period is enough for selection to have different actions on each of the above-mentioned ape species (Zuk, 2013). Zuk agrees that prehistoric ancestors might have been promiscuous, but denies that monogamy is against human sexuality. Zuk contradicts Ryan and Jetha by stating that animals may not have a lifetime fidelity to a single partner, which also applies to humans. However, the variation in mating systems in human societies in time and space proves that humans have been assuming their actual sexual nature. The question that arises is; what if evolution embraced monogamy, would all humans not converge to the system? (Zuk, 2013). Zuk views monogamy as a necessity for human survival that can adapt quickly to the society. The survival possibility diminishes if there is no adaptation. Evolution theories can teach many things, but cannot explain everything. Zuk summarizes by stating that there is no specific form of mating that illustrates the human true sexual nature.

Comparison of the Two Accounts

The above illustration from Ryan and Jetha and Zuk shows that both parties believe in evolution. The only evident difference is that Zuk does not agree that evolved beings possess the same sexual attributes as prehistoric ancestors. The reality behind the above statement is that human evolution from ape is impossible. From recent DNA tests, science has proven that human and ape DNA is very different to warrant the conclusion that humans evolved from apes. It also brings contradiction by stating that monogamy stated after agricultural evolution. It is evident to say that not everyone transitioned from a hunter-gatherer way of life to farming. Also, deviating from an already established culture is hard. Therefore, agriculture is not an adequate reason for practicing monogamy.

Conclusion

The critical aspect of these two theories is that these scholars came up with ideas to justify a problem affecting humanity. Each author is right in his sense, and the conclusion depends on the reader. I believe that the issues of adultery affecting relationships currently are as a result of human inequity. As stated in the holy books, the first monogamous union that God instituted was between the early humans, Adam and Eve. However, the two sinned before God, and he cursed them and their generation. Therefore, the above theories are just justifications that humanity is deviating from its true sexual nature. But I tend to agree with Zuk at some point that there is no specific form of mating that illustrates the true human sexual nature. All humans must do is adapt to the most convenient way of coupling that encourages social cohesion. Also, there are emerging issues, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, in a bid to reduce the risk of spread, monogamy is the right form of mating.

References

Paleofantasy: What Evolution Really Tells Us about Sex ... (n.d.). Retrieved July 9, 2020, from https://www.amazon.com/Paleofantasy-Evolution-Really-Tells-about-ebook/dp/B007Q6XM1A

Ryan, C., & Jethá, C. (2010). Sex at dawn: The prehistoric origins of modern sexuality (pp. 1-2). New York, NY: Harper.

Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means ... (n.d.). Retrieved July 9, 2020, from https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Dawn-Stray-Modern-Relationships-ebook/dp/B007679QTG

Zuk, M. (2013). Paleofantasy: What evolution really tells us about sex, diet, and how we live. WW Norton & Company.